Globe starts blocking SMS part of tech-based countermeasure vs fraud

CEBU CITY -- Globe has started temporarily blocking all of all person-to-person text messages from Prepaid and Postpaid numbers containing clickable website links (URLs) in an unprecedented step against spam and scam messages to help ensure continued trust in digital platforms amid growing digitalization which is crucial in helping drive the country’s economic recovery.

This is just one of the latest in Globe’s long-going efforts against smishing and other forms of spam and scam messaging which have been inundating customers every day. Globe received reports of scam and spam messages including SMS from unknown numbers that bear customers’ complete names

"Before implementing this measure, what we were doing was blocking access to malicious links in text messages to help protect customers. This time around, we're blocking the actual message. If the SMS has a link of any kind, we are not going to deliver it, period. This is necessary to protect our customers,” Globe Chief Information Security Officer Anton Bonifacio said.

Bonifacio said, blocking SMS with clickable links meant shutting the floodgates, and is critical to protect vulnerable users, including senior citizens, children, and new digital adopters who need support as they may yet to be aware of cyberthreats enough to drive personal vigilance.

“Our goal is to defang fraudsters. So, we use all tools necessary– scalpels, axes or cannons– to hold our fort and protect our 92 million customers,” Bonifacio added.

Globe said, such SMS blocking will be enforced pending passage and implementation of the SIM Registration Bill, which was ratified by both Houses of Congress on Wednesday, September 28, and signed by the President recently.

It has been bolstering its efforts against scam and spam messages, blocking 784 million scam and spam messages from January to the end of July this year. Through a 24/7 Security Operations Center, Globe also deactivated 14,058 scam-linked mobile numbers and blacklisted 8,973 more within the same period.

Globe has spent $20 million or about P1.1 billion in capital expenditures to date to step up its capabilities in detecting and blocking scam and spam messages of international and domestic sources, including app-to-person and person-to-person SMS.

Bonifacio said Globe takes these measures for the security of its 92 million customers at Globe and 66 million more using GCash as they noted how the modus operandi of fraudsters are becoming even more sophisticated.

Globe believes this measure is vital to strengthen the government’s capacity to apprehend cybercriminals and other abusers of digital technology. It will also empower telcos in protecting their systems and customers from fraudulent activity. (Photos: Globe FB/Google Images)