The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered online platforms Facebook, Shopee, and Lazada to stop selling unregistered SMS blast machines.
According to GMA News, NTC filed cease and desist orders against e-commerce giants Facebook (Marketplace) Philippines, Lazada E-Services Philippines Inc., and Shopee Philippines after it noticed advertisements for the sale of SMS blaster machines on their shopping platforms.
NTC, in its order, mentioned that it has not authorized the importation, manufacture, sale/distribution, or type approval of the above-mentioned equipment.
The sale of this type of device violates the Republic Act 3846 or The Radio Control Law. The NTC order also added that these SMS blaster machines are prohibited under various rules and regulations, such as Memorandum Order 01-02-2013 titled The Prohibition of Portable Cellular Mobile Repeater and Portable Cell Site Equipment.
The companies were directed to appear before the NTC on October 27 at 10 am.
The cease and desist order came a week after the NTC opened an investigation into the emergency text blasts promoting former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s presidential bid in 2022. Marcos’ camp has denied that it was from them and suspects it was part of “demolition jobs” against Bongbong.
SMS blast machines cost between PHP 200,000 and PHP 3,000,000 and will be capable of sending up to 100,000 text messages per hour in a target location without incurring telco charges.
Moreover, SMS blasters are virtually invisible on cellular networks and are capable of fabricating the origin of texts, making them ideal for distributing political information or disinformation campaigns.
As of this writing, a search on Shopee, Lazada, and Facebook marketplace showed that such product listings had been removed.
NTC orders Facebook, Shopee, Lazada to stop selling SMS blast machines
Source: Magandang Gabi Viral
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