The National Privacy Commission (NPC) has joined forces with the Department of Information and Technology (DICT) in a collaborative effort known as the Digital Security and Privacy Quick Response (DSPQR) Project.
This partnership comes on the heels of a recent cyberattack on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth).
The DSPQR Project, set to be integrated into the Government Digital Transformation Bureau’s eGov application, serves as a complaints-handling system with the primary objective of swiftly addressing privacy violations and concerns. The aim is to safeguard the fundamental right to privacy for all citizens.
Under the agreement, the DICT will provide funding for the DSPQR project and establish a reporting framework for the NPC.
The NPC, in turn, will operate as an implementing unit of the DICT and focus on promoting awareness of the project’s role in addressing privacy and cybersecurity issues.
The NPC’s responsibilities include managing and triaging cybersecurity attacks, threats, and data privacy issues reported through various channels, such as the Consumer Complaint Center, Contact Center ng Bayan, National Computer Emergency Response Team, and the NPC itself.
Privacy Commissioner John Henry Naga emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “The MOA between NPC and DICT is a significant step toward ensuring the digital security and privacy of our fellow Filipinos.”
DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy emphasized the shared goal of protecting the fundamental right to privacy while bolstering resilience against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.
The impact of the Philhealth hacking could be disastrous for those affected, as it exposed sensitive information, including passwords, account numbers, and emails. This personal data breach could potentially lead to identity theft and other crimes.
