NTC’s Order: Deactivate Clickable URLs on Text Messages

Is this a smart move?

Is this a smart move?

Amidst the increasing SMS spam, the Philippines’ National Telecommunications Commission or NTC ordered Philippine carriers, Globe, Smart, and DITO to block or deactivate URLs on SMS.

This is in response to rampant text spamming to every mobile subscriber in the Philippines.

According to a memo signed by NTC Commissioner Gamaliel A. Corbadora, the commission has ordered: “to block or deactivate domains or Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), TinyURLs, Smart Links and/or QR Codes redirecting to malicious sites”.

SEE ALSO: Here’s Singapore’s Solution to Spoof and Spam SMS

In addition, these sites are based on the existing database collected from various sources such as the National Telecommunications Commission itself, the National Privacy Commission, the Department of Trade and Industry, law enforcement agencies, subscriber reports, and those generated from systems using Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence.

Telcos are also given until September 16 to comply and submit a written report to NTC.

READ THE MEMO HERE:

What do you think guys? Is this a smart move?

Started his career as a Digital Marketing Specialist for a local and global tech brand, and later becomes a digital content producer for a TV show. Currently, he's a part of the integrated communications team at a University in Metro Manila. You may reach JR at [email protected]