FEB.

22, 2012 DATE

NR # 2687
REF. NO.

Probe proliferation of unsolicited text messages by telecom provides - solon

A lawmaker has asked the House of Representatives to direct the Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to conduct an inquiry on the proliferation of unsolicited messages and unsubscribed services sent to postpaid and prepaid subscribers of various telecommunication companies. Rep. Pedro Romualdo (Lone District, Camiguin) filed House Resolution 2075 to address the complaints of both postpaid and prepaid subscribers on the upsurge of unsolicited messages containing nuisance information, political gimmickry, promotion of various services and products, spam messages and even, unsubscribed services which are billed to postpaid subscribers and deducted from the load of prepaid subscribers. According to Romualdo, there is a need to recommend remedial measures to strengthen the capability of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to monitor and put a stop to these nefarious activities. There is the possibility that personnel of these telecommunications service providers are in connivance with enterprising individuals to provide and sell them en masse the contact details of their subscribers, Romualdo said. Romualdo said allegations that third parties might have sourced the data from a different database might be true but it would only be of a limited nature compared to capturing a good database of postpaid and prepaid subscribers from these telecommunications service providers that they can utilize to launch and promote various products and services and also create propaganda or misinformation campaign against certain personalities whether in the government or private sector. These telecommunication service providers have certain legal responsibilities to their clients to protect by not divulging to any third party without a court order their contact and subscription details and provide their loyal clients with the necessary legal and technical interventions to enjoy their services without these unwanted intrusions to their privacy, Romualdo said. Romualdo said the House of Representative through the Committee on Information and Communications Technology investigate on these complaints by subscribers and along with the NTC and telecommunication industry inputs as well as other stakeholders to craft remedial measures to protect further their patronizing consumers. (30) lvc