Smart Communications has revealed that it implemented a new measure to fight scammers. The telco started blocking text messages or short message service (SMS) with Uniform Resource Locator (URL) shorteners, which spammers commonly use for smishing.
According to Angel Redoble, First VP and Chief Information Security Officer of PLDT and Smart, SMS sent via their SMS broadcast service can no longer contain URL shorteners that have been shown to be used by SMS spammers.
In addition, Redoble cited that Smart suspends mobile numbers linked to smishing (A blend of SMS + phishing, identity theft carried out through a malicious link contained within a text message). "[W]e have not hesitated in suspending access to our network of aggregator-clients that have been involved in sending out smishing," said Redoble.
Meanwhile, Leah Jimenez, Chief Data Privacy Officer of PLDT and Smart, noted that the focus of the fight against text message scams should be on the perpetrators, not on the customers.
"We believe that smishing [SMS+phishing] is best fought with nuance, by wielding a scalpel and not an axe," said Jimenez. "We are taking a multi-pronged approach on targeted smishing."
As a means of combating the proliferation of smishing, Smart has previously considered blocking all SMS containing clickable links from passing its network.
However, "upon closer study," Redoble said that they "decided to forego this approach." He added that "neither the National Telecommunications Commission [NTC] nor the National Privacy Commission [NPC] has ordered the ban on clickable links in SMS."
According to Smart, it forgoes blocking SMS with links because 99 percent of text messages passing through its network are legitimate. The telco giant also added that a wholesale prohibition on the sending of links via SMS would cripple their customers' ability to connect with their business networks and community.
Nevertheless, while Smart Communications has been aggressive in going after perpetrators of spam text messages, Jimenez cited that the telco "has not lost sight of the need to protect our customers' right to privacy and the freedom to communicate."
See also:
Smart's rival Globe has begun temporarily blocking all text messages from prepaid and postpaid numbers containing URLs or website links to combat spam and scam text messages.
In response to the proliferation of spam text messages, some of which contain the recipient's full name, the NTC ordered telcos to block URLs, links, and quick response codes on text messages in September.
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