Philippine telco Globe takes down over 1,000 illegal online gambling sites  

GLOBE Telecom, a Philippine telecommunications company, disclosed in a statement an escalation in its efforts to combat online threats. The company reported a substantial increase in the number of malicious sites it blocked during the first quarter of 2024. 

Globe’s Chief Information Officer, Anton Reynaldo Bonifacio, emphasised the critical importance of these actions, stating, “Illegal online gambling can have devastating financial and social consequences, fuelling problematic gambling behaviour and exposing users to potential fraud, malware and cybercrime.” 

Infrastructure investment 

To fortify its defence mechanisms, Globe said that it invested a considerable sum of $2.7 million (€2.51 million) to bolster its content filtering infrastructure system. This upgraded system is designed to swiftly detect and restrict malicious content, including piracy. 

Proactive measures implemented 

Globe said it has taken proactive measures to mitigate the proliferation of illegal gambling sites. By implementing network-blocking measures and content filtering systems, the company aims to safeguard its users from potential threats.  The telco company said that it filtered a total of 1,345 domain names involved in illegal online gambling sites, marking a significant increase from 126 sites in the same period in 2023r. 

Collaborative efforts amid rising cybersecurity concerns 

The government has issued warnings regarding the risks associated with online gambling sites, particularly in light of the increasing incidents of fraud and cyberattacks. Globe’s actions align with the broader efforts to uphold cybersecurity standards and protect users from potential harm. 

Commitment to internet safety 

Bonifacio reaffirmed the company’s dedication to ensuring a safer online environment, stating, “We have an ethical obligation to make the internet safer and are continuing our relentless push to identify and prevent access to these unlawful sites on our network.” 

Market response 

Following these announcements, market sentiments towards Globe Telecom remained positive. By adopting proactive measures and investing in robust infrastructure, Globe Telecom demonstrated its commitment to combating online threats and prioritizing user safety in the digital landscape. 

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