Push Admin

NTC orders telcos to deactivate clickable URLs, links in malicious texts

Article (news)

Jessica Fenol, ABS-CBN News

MANILA - The National Telecommunications Commission has ordered the 3 major telco players to deactivate clickable URLs or links to malicious sites contained in text messages amid the rise in SMS-based scams. Telcos should block domains, URLs, links or QR codes coming from fraudulent sites based on existing database collected from government agencies such as the NTC, the National Privacy Commission, Department of Trade and Industry, the police and reports generated from machine learning or artificial intelligence, the NTC said in a memo released to the media on Tuesday.The public has raised concerns in the recent week after SMS spam messages have become more personalized, which now contain the names and in some cases, surnames of users. Telcos are directed to submit a written report to the NTC on or before Sept. 16. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The NTC has ordered telcos to deactivate clickable URLs from malicious sites in text messages amid the rise in SMS scam<a href="https://twitter.com/ABSCBNNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ABSCBNNews</a> <a href="https://t.co/oWcBhpRStu">pic.twitter.com/oWcBhpRStu</a>— Jessica Fenol (@JessFenol) <a href="https://twitter.com/JessFenol/status/1569473317614256128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2022</a></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div>Despite the use of personal information in spamming messages, the National Privacy Commission had said the data of Filipinos were <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/09/07/22/personalized-text-scam-unlikely-due-to-data-breach-npc">unlikely collected</a> from a large-scale data breach or from contact tracing forms.Investigations of the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigations are also on-going. Meanwhile, stakeholders and several lawmakers have been pushing for the approval of the SIM card registration act, which is seen to help eradicate SMS-linked illegal activities. House Bill 14 or the proposed &quot;Act Requiring The Registration of Subscriber Identity Module Cards&quot; was approved by the House of Representatives Information and Communication Technology Committee on Sept. 5. Telcos said they&#x27;re also ramping up detection and cybersecurity efforts to protect consumers. Mobile wallet GCash earlier launched its username anonymity feature by hiding some letters of money transfer recipients in bid to expand security measures. <ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/05/22/house-panel-approves-mandatory-sim-card-registration-bill">Mandatory SIM card registration bill approved by House committee</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/09/07/22/sim-card-registration-seen-to-help-eradicate-sms-scams">SIM card registration likely to help eradicate SMS scams: PLDT official</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/09/08/22/gcash-rolls-out-username-anonymity-amid-sms-scams">GCash rolls out username anonymity in bid to enhance data protection</a></li></ul>

The National Telecommunications Commission has ordered the 3 major telco players to deactivate clickable URL or links from malicious site contained in text messages amid the rise in SMS-based scam. 

NTC orders telcos to deactivate clickable URLs, links in malicious texts

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

NTC orders telcos to deactivate clickable URLs, links in malicious texts

Jessica Fenol,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 13, 2022 09:18 AM PHT

|

Updated September 13, 2022 09:41 AM PHT

Read More:

sms scam

scam text

NTC

URL

clickable links

links

QR code

smart links

text scam

spamming

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.