Mobile network provider giant Globe Telecom Inc. announced that it has started temporarily blocking all text messages from prepaid and postpaid numbers that contain Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) or website links.
In a press statement released on Friday, Sept. 30, Globe said the new measure was part of its effort to combat the escalating reports of scams and spam messages.
“Initiated this week, this new measure will block the delivery of person-to-person text messages coming from all networks that contain clickable links,” the statement reads.
Prior to this initiative, Globe Chief Security Officer Anton Bonifacio said they have been blocking access to malicious links in text messages.
“This time around, we're blocking the actual message. If the SMS has a link of any kind, we are not going to deliver it, period. This is necessary to protect our customers,” he added.
The mobile network provider said the blocking will continue until the passage and implementation of the proposed Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Bill.
“Globe believes this measure is vital to strengthen the government’s capacity to apprehend cybercriminals and other abusers of digital technology. It will also empower telcos in protecting their system and customers from fraudulent activity,” it said.
On Wednesday, both chambers of Congress ratified the reconciled SIM Registration bill, and it is now awaiting the approval and signature of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Globe reported that from January to July this year, it blocked 784 million scam and spam messages, deactivated 14,058 scam-linked mobile numbers, and blacklisted 8,973.
It disclosed that it has spent Php 1.1 billion in capital expenditure to boost its capabilities in detecting and blocking scams and spam messages coming from international and domestic, including app-to-person and person-to-person SMS.
