PLDT, Smart backs PBBM’s call against OSAEC, which blocked more than 400,000 links to illegal children’s content online in August – Upgrade Magazine

PLDT Inc (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are strengthening their efforts to combat online child sexual abuse and exploitation (OSAEC). In August alone, PLDT and Smart’s Cyber ​​Security Operations Group (CSOG) blocked access to more than 400,000 URLs hosting child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAEM) materials.

“PLDT and Smart recognize children not only as important stakeholders, but also as the future of our nation. This furthers our collective effort to work closely with like-minded organizations and deploy cutting-edge technology solutions to ensure the protection of children and prevent access to illegal children’s content online,” said Jojo G. Gendrano, SVP and Chief Information Security Officer at PLDT and Smart.

The PLDT Group has invested significantly in developing its groundbreaking child protection platform, which allows it to block illegal child content at the more difficult content level. Complementing this technology, the PLDT Group’s membership in the UK Internet Watch Foundation and the Canadian Center for Child Protection’s (C3P) Project Arachnid have expanded the telecom group’s threat intelligence sources, giving the CSOG more than 1.4 million links can identify and block. at CSAEM at the end of August.

Going beyond technology and international partnerships, PLDT and Smart have integrated child rights protection into the organization with the pilot of UNICEF’s updated Mobile Operators Child Rights Impact Self-Assessment (MO-CRIA) tool. The MO-CRIA enables PLDT and Smart to fully understand the challenges, opportunities and impact of children’s rights on business and apply them to their activities.

The PLDT Group advocates a multi-stakeholder approach in the fight against OSAEC and works with industry peers, government agencies, law enforcement agencies and fellow child rights activists from private and public organizations to develop impactful initiatives aimed at protecting children from abuse. PLDT and Smart have also engaged local communities in developing programs aimed at children and youth that allow them to pursue their passions in a safe space.

PLDT and Smart’s initiatives to develop technology that aims to defeat and eradicate OSAEC and the Child Protection Advocate are based on their commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16, particularly in ending abuse, exploitation, human trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture. of children.

PLDT Group’s efforts to strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure underscore its customer-centric ideology that aims to provide its customers with meaningful connections and experiences so they can live fuller lives. These initiatives also underline the Group’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.