Anna Velas-Suarin

Open letter to Globe Telecom (re Spam SMS/Unsolicited Ads)

Dear Globe Telecom,

I have been a loyal subscriber to Globe Telecom since 2005 and appreciate its good service. It’s not perfect but I am relatively satisfied and appreciate its efforts in addressing the needs of subscribers.

SMS Spammers Beware! (Above is a part of the PDF file that I have sent to Globe Telecom last Feb. 17. I have partially covered the numbers/names of the unsolicited texters (spammers?) to protect their identity. The companies that the texters are promoting may not be aware of what their agents/employees are doing (?) so they should also conduct their own investigation. (Photo taken by Mary Anne Velas-Suarin)

SMS Spammers Beware! (Above is a part of the PDF file that I have sent to Globe Telecom last Feb. 17. I have partially covered the numbers/names of the unsolicited texters (spammers?) to protect their identity. The companies that the texters are promoting may not be aware of what their agents/employees are doing (?) so they should also conduct their own investigation. (Screenshot taken by Mary Anne Velas-Suarin)

However, this is a perennial problem which may also be affecting thousands of your (and other telecom providers’) subscribers: spam SMS and unsolicited advertisements (ads), which are probably being sent en masse. Twice or three times in the past, I have received such spam messages/ads at past midnight already.

I sent you an email dated 17 February 2013 but all I got was an auto-reply. I opened a Twitter account so I can reach out to your “Talk” team via its Twitter account but the same thing happened: I just got the usual “thank you” letter and so far, have not received any update  yet as to any action that was done to address my concern (which, I am sure, is the concern of many subscribers as well). With my 17 February letter is a PDF file with most of the numbers (of unsolicited text senders or “spammers”) that I had patiently compiled. I will be sending you another email after posting this blog so I can make a follow-up again and send you new numbers, which I patiently compiled again.

Another screenshot of a part of the list that I sent to Globe. (Photo taken by Mary Anne Velas-Suarin)

Another screenshot of a part of the list that I sent to Globe. (Screenshot taken by Mary Anne Velas-Suarin)

I had actually requested for a change in number sometime last year so I can avoid these unsolicited SMS (and for another important reason). However, lo and behold, I began receiving such SMS again just a day or two after my new number got activated.

I am aware that there are already legislative efforts in both the Lower House and the Senate to address this perennial problem. (For its part, I am also sure that Globe is aware that giving away mobile numbers without the consent of subscribers is a violation of the right to privacy and may be considered an illegal act.)

I therefore hope that with this open letter, Globe will finally take this matter seriously and do a clear action as to those individuals/companies who are sending unsolicited ads/SMS. Perhaps Globe may also want to conduct its own investigation as to how people/companies are getting unauthorized access to the private mobile numbers of your subscribers.

I look forward to Globe’s action on this matter.

Very truly yours,

Mei

P.s. Another screenshot of the list of SMS spammers (sent to Globe Telecom last February 17) is below.

Another screenshot of a part of the list that I sent to Globe Telecom. (Screenshot taken by Mary Anne Velas-Suarin)

Another screenshot of a part of the list that I sent to Globe Telecom. (Screenshot taken by Mary Anne Velas-Suarin)

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This is not a paid blog.

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