Bangko Sentral Advises Public, Reminds Banks on Unsolicited Text Messages
Sample of an unsolicited text message
MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) today issued an advisory informing the public the appropriate action to take when unsolicited text messages such as bank advertisement, loan or credit card offers and marketing are received.
In a statement, the BSP also issued earlier a memorandum to banks and its subsidiaries and affiliates reminding them of their compliance with the law and rules prohibiting unsolicited text messages.
The statement also identified the Cybercrime Prevention Act or R.A. No. 10175 that “criminalizes the transmission of commercial electronic communication with the use of computer system which seeks to advertise, sell, or offer for sale products and service unless there is prior affirmative consent from the recipient.”
In a separate Memorandum Circular, the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) likewise prohibits Public Telecommunication (PTes) and content and/or information service (CPs) from sending and/or initiating push or unsolicited text messages, unless there is a written consent from the subscriber choosing to receive commercial advertisement through text.
The issuance of the advisory and memorandum is in view of the complaints and inquiries received by the BSP involving unsolicited text messages from banks, the statement added.
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