MANILA - Singer-composer Jim Paredes may have fallen prey to individuals or groups who intentionally released his private video, a tech news editor and cybersecurity enthusiast said Tuesday.

Manila Bulletin tech editor Art Samaniego Jr. told DZMM Teleradyo Paredes was a victim of data breach following the release of his now viral sex video.

"Ito kasi, pribado ito eh. Private moment ito ni Jim Paredes, pero nirecord nung kung sino ang kausap niya. So ito 'yun, violation ito ng privacy ni Jim. Hindi ito about kung ano 'yung ginawa niya. Ito, may violation sa privacy ni Jim, at ina-advice ko siya na mag-complain siya sa National Privacy Commission o sa PNP (Philippine National Police)," he said.

(In this case, it was private. It was Jim Paredes' private moment, but it was recorded by whoever he was talking to. So this was a violation of Jim's privacy. This is not about what he was doing. This is about the violation of Jim's privacy and I advice him to file a complaint with National Privacy Commission or with the PNP.)

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Samaniego advised netizens to be very careful when using video messaging apps and websites, as the ones they are talking to can always keep a copy of their video conversations.

"Kung akala mo nakikipag-chat ka lang, 'wag na 'wag kang gagawa ng personal na bagay sa video chat mo kasi puwedeng ma-record 'yan," he said.

(If you think you are only chatting, you should not do anything personal during video chats because it can be recorded.)

He also believes Paredes may have been targeted by individuals or groups.

"Hindi ito political. This has nothing to do with politics, napagtripan lang talaga itong si Jim," he said, adding: "Maaring pinoroject siya. Totoong tao ba 'yung kausap niya?"

(This is not political. This has nothing to do with politics, he may have just been a victim of a prank. Maybe he became a project (target). Was he even talking to a real person?)

BE WARY OF APP PERMISSIONS, SECURE YOUR DEVICE

To avoid data breach or spread of private information, Samaniego said it is important to always secure your device.

"Dapat i-secure mo 'yung device mo. I-secure mo 'yung telepono mo, kasi 'yung telepono mo, 'yan 'yung ultimate endpoint mo. Dala dala mo siya lagi, at sigurado ako, may mga sikreto ka sa telepono mo," he said.

(You should secure your device. You should secure your mobile phone, because your phone is your ultimate endpoint. You always bring it with you, and for sure, you have secrets in your phone.)

Setting up strong passwords is a must, Samaniego added.

It is also important to be careful in downloading mobile apps, as some apps may ask for questionable app permissions.

For example, a flashlight app should not ask for access to videos or photos, Samaniego said.

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