Globe is now in the testing stage of
its network scam/spam blocking system. The system will filter unsolicited
messages and would eventually protect the network’s subscribers from receiving
unwanted text spam messages. This shows the company’s intent to advance its
campaign against scam messages.
The telecommunications provider installedin
its network an automated filtering mechanism which is now working to prevent transmittal
of spam and scam messages to mobile devices of some of its postpaid customers.So
far, more than 10,000 spam and scam messages have been blocked from the Globe
network, said Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President and Head of Service
Management Division, Network Technical Group.
“We have just taken to the next level our
campaign against annoying text spam and scam messages. We hope to include more
and more postpaid customers in the filtering system in the coming days. Rest
assured that our technical team will continue to design and develop mechanisms
that will rid the network of such irritating messages for a more wonderful
customer experience,” Agustin said. He stressed that the move is in step with
the company’s network transformation initiative that so far delivered the most
modernized telecommunications infrastructure in the country.
According to him, mobile numbers that are identified
to be a constant source of spam and scam messages will be temporarily disconnected
from service. This means that voice, SMS and data services will not be
available to these numbers. Service restoration for such numbers will only be
undertaken if the users contest the move and show proof they are not text
spammers, he added.
The company recently reported that mobile
numbers deactivated from Globe service surged this year amid intensified
efforts of the mobile operator to combat unsolicited promotional materials sent
as SMS messages.
As of April this year, Globe said it barred
from its network more than 1,000 mobile numbers. This is 33% higher than the
total mobile numbers blocked from the network for the whole of 2013. From
January to April 2014, the number of blocked numbers due to reported spamming
activities increased by an average of 450% from a year ago.
In
June, Globe made it easier for customers to report such annoying messages.
Specifically, the mobile operator has made available on a Globe web page a
channel through which its customers can report text spams
and text scams alike. Customers simply have to go to http://www.globe.com.ph/stopspam
and provide all the details required. Numbers that are reported for the first
time as the source of text spams are sent warnings. If the same numbers are reported for the
second time due to text spams, these are immediately blocked from the network.