PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. have blocked over half a million web addresses that show child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) as of November last year.
“Our pioneering Child Protection Platform has allowed us to block CSAM online on the more difficult content level. By the end of November, we have prevented more than 1.3 billion attempts to open child abuse content,” Angel Redoble, PLDT and Smart chief information security officer, said in a statement.
The PLDT Group said its membership into the United Kingdom-based Internet Watch Foundation and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s Project Arachnid has played a significant role in boosting the reach of its Child Protection Platform.
PLDT and Smart’s Cyber Security Operations Group regularly receives hashes pertaining to CSAM from the two organizations that the telcos immediately block.
PLDT and Smart also reiterated their support to the government in the fight against online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC). Recognizing that children are among the companies’ active end-users, they have embedded child safety into their customer experience, and cybersecurity innovations strategy and solutions.
“We have adopted the Children’s Rights and Business Principles framework and enacted a Child Safeguarding Policy that now guides us in applying a child rights lens into our policies, technology solutions, and shared value partnerships, from inside our organization, and outwards, to the communities where we operate,” said Melissa Vergel De Dios, PLDT and Smart chief sustainability officer and head of investor relations.
During the recent Global Child Forum in Stockholm, Sweden, Cathy Yang, PLDT and Smart group head of corporate communications, said the companies believe in a whole-of-nation approach to solving OSAEC.
“We work closely with key government offices as well as law enforcement agencies to come up with a comprehensive plan that not only seeks to prevent children from being victimized but, more importantly, launches impactful programs that empower communities,” said Yang.
In the middle of last year, PLDT and Smart also joined the WePROTECT Global Alliance to expand efforts against OSAEC. The alliance allows them to tap global resources and connect with like-minded organizations and learn about their efforts to protect children in cyberspace.
The PLDT Group said it is also coordinating with communities to support grassroots movement against child abuse and exploitation. PLDT and Smart have influenced local ordinances and policies on internet safety and child protection. This is supported by learning programs for parents, teachers and other key stakeholders on protecting children against online predators and ensuring a safe online experience.
PLDT and Smart also explored capacity building programs with ECPAT Philippines to raise awareness on OSAEC and facilitate learning opportunities for teachers and local caregivers on safeguarding children while online.
The group said it also partnered with Google to localize the ‘Be Internet Awesome’ curriculum and produce a web series that anchors on universal and Filipino values of being smart, alert, strong, brave and kind to promote digital safety and wellness among kids and families.
All these initiatives, it added, underscore PLDT and Smart’s long-term commitment to help the country attain UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 16 which promotes just, peaceful and inclusive societies including the end to abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
