PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) has reiterated its support for the government’s consumer protection initiatives, which include measures like the mandatory registration of SIM cards.

This comes at the heels of a House of Representative panel’s recent approval of the consolidated measure requiring the registration of prepaid and postpaid SIM cards, especially to curb mobile phone-aided criminal activities such as text scams.

“Consumer online protection has always been one of Smart’s advocacies. Safeguarding our customers against fraud is part of our commitment to ensure leveled-up customer experience,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, president and CEO, PLDT Inc and Smart Communications. “We reiterate our readiness to work hand-in-hand with the government, especially in protecting Filipino consumers. We also welcome any opportunity to support the legislative process and contribute to the crafting of the bill’s implementing rules and regulations.”

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Smart and parent company PLDT have been actively working with government and regulators for consumer protection.

With the recent spate of smishing attacks, Smart has also intensified its efforts against malicious text messages that aim to defraud customers. In addition to blocking SIMs that send “smishing” messages, Smart has also blocked Uniform Resource Locators (URL) linked to these illegal activities.

Through their Cybersecurity Operations Group, PLDT and Smart are actively fortifying and ensuring the resiliency and sustainability of their cybersecurity systems–a key part of the PLDT group’s broader program to further elevate the quality of customer experience by protecting customers from cyberthreats.

PLDT and Smart invested nearly P3 billion in cybersecurity infrastructure in 2021 to safeguard the public against emerging cyberthreats, vulnerabilities, and other online criminal activities.

PLDT and Smart have also launched regular information dissemination and customer education campaigns to help subscribers identify red flags that indicate scams and fraud.