Leading digital solutions platform Globe deactivated and blacklisted more than 50,000 SIMs last year as it continued to intensify consumer protection initiatives amid the rising cases of online fraud.

Globe deactivated 20,225 SIMs and blacklisted 35,333 SIMs involved in scam and spam messages in 2022 alone as part of its campaign for internet safety.

This was on top of the record 2.72 billion scam and spam messages it blocked last year, 83.4 million of which were bank-related. All these efforts have been on-going to protect customers from harmful content and fraud before the enactment of the SIM Registration Act.

“Globe recognizes the growing threat posed by scammers, who use various tactics, including text messages, to deceive innocent victims into giving up personal information that could be used to compromise their financial accounts. We will continue to invest in our cybersecurity program to protect our customers from these unscrupulous individuals,” said Anton Bonifacio, Globe Chief Information Security Officer.

Under its filtering protocol, Globe deactivates SIMs within its network once detected to have been involved in fraud. Meanwhile, SIMs outside of the Globe network are blacklisted to prevent them from sending to Globe.

On its own, Globe has taken a proactive approach to combat cybercrime schemes through various initiatives. It has implemented blocking mechanisms, established partnerships with financial institutions for threat intelligence, created a customer reporting portal, and launched an awareness and education campaign to empower customers with the knowledge and tools they need to protect themselves.

Meanwhile, in a move to address growing concern over the use of unregistered SIMs in committing cybercrimes, the government introduced Republic Act No. 11934, also known as the SIM (subscriber identity module) Registration Act. Signed into law in October, the measure requires all mobile and broadband users to register their SIMs with their respective service providers to ensure that they are properly identified.

As of January 25, Globe has logged 10.4 million registrations of prepaid SIMs.

Leading digital solutions platform Globe expanded its 5G coverage to 212 sites in Visayas and 25 in Mindanao by the end of the third quarter in 2022, providing more consumers and businesses with improved connectivity and access to faster data speeds.

The company’s 5G network is now expanding and available to most of the population in Davao City, Cebu, Iloilo City, Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro City, Boracay and Bacolod City.

The expansion of 5G technology in Visayas and Mindanao is intended to help bridge the digital divide between these regions and the rest of the country. It aims to support economic development and enable residents to access a wider range of digital services and opportunities.

The deployment is also beneficial to the growth of new industries and businesses in the said areas. It can inspire innovation and competitiveness as companies seek to provide the best possible services to their customers.

“We believe that the expansion of 5G technology in Visayas and Mindanao is essential for driving economic growth, supporting innovation, and providing access to fast and reliable digital services for residents and businesses in these regions. It will also help spur further investment and support the emergence of a vibrant and dynamic digital economy,” said Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President for Network Planning & Engineering.

As a pioneering provider of 5G technology in the Philippines, Globe is committed to delivering improved customer service and reliable, consistent data services to its customers.

By scaling up the rollout of its 5G network, Globe is taking a major step towards building a more connected and technologically advanced society in the Philippines. It is helping drive the adoption of 5G technology and paving the way for the next generation of digital innovation.

5G technology is capable of delivering internet speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G. It also has less lag, making it suitable for video streaming and gaming.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

imn

Register for free in a few easy steps on Globe’s official portal

Globe cautions its customers against offers of SIM registration assistance online and advises them not to share personal information to protect their data security and privacy.

There are already reports of individuals taking advantage of the SIM registration requirement. They offer their services through social media either for free or for a fee and request the name, photo, valid ID, birthday, cell phone number, and address of SIM users.

Such personal information, when in the wrong hands, may be used to impersonate their owners, access their accounts, steal money or other fraudulent activities. Identity thieves may also open accounts in another person’s name, run up debt, or commit crimes, causing damaged reputation and financial problems.

“We want to remind our customers to be wary of these types of offers and to only use official channels for their SIM registration,” said Irish Salandanan-Almeida, Globe Chief Privacy Officer. “Your personal information is valuable and we urge you to protect it from those who may want to use it for unlawful purposes.”

Instead of seeking help from unknown individuals, customers may register their SIMs for free at https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg. Registration through the GlobeOne app will also start later this month. They may also ask a trusted family member or friend for assistance.

Starting February 2023, Globe will also have assisted registration sites for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and users of basic or feature phones. The list of Globe’s registration sites will be announced through our official websites in the coming weeks.

There are 87.9 million SIMs under the Globe network. So far, over 7 million have registered.

To make the SIM registration process accessible and convenient for all, the company is offering multiple channels for registration. Customers are encouraged to take advantage of these options and complete their SIM registration before the deadline on April 26, 2023 to avoid the risk of SIM deactivation.

The SIM Registration Act, which requires mobile phone users in the Philippines to register their SIMs with their service providers, is being implemented to address the growing problem of fraudulent activities enabled by anonymous SIM use.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.