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Former DICT chief warns of Konektadong Pinoy Bill risks

Former DICT chief warns of Konektadong Pinoy Bill risks

GMA Network4 days ago
A former secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology has warned of the potential threats to national security posed by the Konektadong Pinoy Bill.
Gregorio 'Gringo' Honasan II, also a former senator, said the measure lacks sufficient security mechanisms, particularly in safeguarding the country's digital infrastructure.
Honasan was quoted in a statement issued by the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators who shares his concerns.
He noted the absence of a clear legal process for national security vetting of Data Transmission Participants, saying the implementing rules and regulations alone would be inadequate to ensure proper scrutiny and accountability.
'Without a prior legally mandated national security vetting process in allowing DTP, the IRR alone cannot provide the necessary level of scrutiny and accountability,' he said.
He added the bill also fails to adequately regulate foreign-controlled firms, especially in sensitive operations such as cable landing stations and satellite gateways.
He also described the current provisions as overly lenient and lacking sufficient safeguards for critical infrastructure.
Honasan further said the bill does not provide clear and legally grounded penalties for companies that violate regulations.
Several groups have earlier urged President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to address the risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which is now awaiting his signature to become a law.
Earlier this month, DICT issued clarifications to address the issues regarding the bill. It added that it welcomes public dialogue surrounding the measure. — AOL, GMA Integrated News
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A former secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology has warned of the potential threats to national security posed by the Konektadong Pinoy Bill. Gregorio 'Gringo' Honasan II, also a former senator, said the measure lacks sufficient security mechanisms, particularly in safeguarding the country's digital infrastructure. Honasan was quoted in a statement issued by the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators who shares his concerns. He noted the absence of a clear legal process for national security vetting of Data Transmission Participants, saying the implementing rules and regulations alone would be inadequate to ensure proper scrutiny and accountability. 'Without a prior legally mandated national security vetting process in allowing DTP, the IRR alone cannot provide the necessary level of scrutiny and accountability,' he said. He added the bill also fails to adequately regulate foreign-controlled firms, especially in sensitive operations such as cable landing stations and satellite gateways. He also described the current provisions as overly lenient and lacking sufficient safeguards for critical infrastructure. Honasan further said the bill does not provide clear and legally grounded penalties for companies that violate regulations. Several groups have earlier urged President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to address the risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which is now awaiting his signature to become a law. Earlier this month, DICT issued clarifications to address the issues regarding the bill. It added that it welcomes public dialogue surrounding the measure. — AOL, GMA Integrated News

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