Smart backs SIM card registration bill, welcomes House OK.
Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), a cellular division of PLDT, has reaffirmed its support for the government's consumer protection actions, which include steps like the SIM card registration requirement.
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| Smart backs SIM card registration bill, welcomes House OK. |
This comes as a House panel recently approved a consolidated bill requiring the registration of prepaid and postpaid SIM cards, specifically to stop criminal activity supported by mobile phones like text scams.
Protecting our customers against fraud is a part of our commitment to ensuring a leveled-up customer experience, according to Alfredo S. Panlilio, President and CEO of PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications. "Consumer online protection has long been one of Smart's advocacies," he added.
We welcome any opportunity to support the legislative process and contribute to the development of the bill's implementing rules and regulations, he said, adding that we "reiterate our readiness to work hand-in-hand with the government, especially in protecting Filipino consumers."
See Also: Ookla recognized Smart as the fastest and best mobile network in the Philippines.
Smart and parent firm PLDT have been actively cooperating with the government and regulators for consumer protection.
In response to the current wave of smishing attacks, Smart has stepped up its efforts to combat fraudulent text messages sent to subscribers. Smart has disabled SIMs that send "smishing" messages and Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) connected to these unlawful activities.
As a crucial component of the broader program of the PLDT group to further improve the quality of the customer experience by safeguarding customers from cyber threats, PLDT and Smart are actively strengthening and ensuring the resiliency and sustainability of their cybersecurity systems through their Cybersecurity Operations Group.
To protect the public from new cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and other online criminal activities in 2021, PLDT and Smart invested almost 3 billion in cybersecurity infrastructure.
To assist subscribers in recognizing warning signs of fraud and scams, PLDT and Smart have also established ongoing informational marketing and consumer education initiatives.