A network of digital advocates welcomed today the investigation launched by the National Privacy Commission against online gambling platforms and bitcoin trading websites for their involvement in the spread of spam messages.

In a news report aired September 13, 2022, National Privacy Commission Public Information and Assistance Chief Roren Marie Chin said that they are looking as to why the links to the spam messages are being directed to the websites of gambling platforms and bitcoin traders.

Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo said that the investigation of online gambling platforms has been long awaited by the people who were victimized and inconvenienced by the proliferation of spam messages. Recent developments in the issue saw the messages becoming personalized after the names of the recipients were included in the text messages.

“Online gambling platforms involved in the proliferation of spam messages must face the music now. The investigation launched by the NPC is very much welcome as it may answer questions as to how the personal data were acquired, who were involved in the scheme and how it was transmitted.”

Gustilo earlier filed a complaint at the National Telecommunications Commission against Bingo Plus, an online gambling platform owned by AB Leisure Exponent, Inc. and registered with the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation. NTC coordinated with PAGCOR who in turn discussed the complaint with Bingo Plus.

Gustilo added that the involvement of online gambling platforms in the proliferation of spam messages are not new. In 2016, United Kingdom-based data privacy watchdog Information Commissioner’s Office warned 400 companies, mostly gambling platforms, after they were found to be involved in the spread of spam messages in the U.K.

Reference: Ronald Gustilo, Digital Pinoys National Campaigner