Philippines’ Commission on Elections (Comelec) is verifying a report that hackers recently breached its servers and downloaded sensitive information that could potentially impact the May 2022 elections.
According to the Manila Bulletin report, hackers penetrated Comelec’s system on January 8 and downloaded over 60GB of data that include usernames and personal identification numbers (PINs) of vote-counting machines.
In a Twitter post, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that the poll body is validating Manila Bulletin’s report on the alleged hacking of its system.
Comelec expressed doubts about the claims made in the article.
“The fact, however, is that such information still does not exist in COMELEC systems simply because the configuration files – which includes usernames and PINs – have not yet been completed,” said Jimenez. “This calls into question the veracity of the hacking claim.”
Moreover, Jimenez noted the “scant substantiation” supporting the assertions made in the Manila Bulletin article despite claiming that the authors had “verified that there was an ongoing hack.”
“[T]he article does not even offer proof of such verification,” added Jimenez.
The poll body assured the public of its “full and scrupulous compliance” with the Data Privacy Act and is cooperating with the National Privacy Commission.
Comelec invites the authors to provide additional information about their allegations, particularly regarding the “verification” they claim to have conducted.
According to Comelec, given that such news could “potentially damage” the elections’ credibility, they are prepared “to pursue all available remedies” against those who intentionally or unintentionally undermine the electoral process’ integrity.
Comelec validating alleged server hack
Source: Magandang Gabi Viral
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