NTC bars 2 firms from sending spam messages to Globe subscribers

MANILA, Philippines – The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered two companies to immediately stop sending annoying spam messages to the subscribers of Ayala Corporation unit Globe Telecom Inc.

The NTC issued show-cause orders against Caritas Health Shield Inc. and Center for Global Best Practices (CGBP) due to separate complaints filed by Globe.

Globe stated in the complaints that the agents and employees of the two companies are involved in sending unsolicited, promotional text messages to its mobile customers.

The legal action taken by Globe against Caritas and CGBP is in line with the company’s intensified campaign against spam texts, prompted by constant customer service complaints on the issue.

The NTC directive should provide some breathing space for Globe customers who constantly receive annoying spam messages, Globe General Counsel Froilan Castelo said.

Castelo gave assurances that Globe would continue exercising all legal means possible to ease the burden inflicted on their customers by companies that employ this marketing strategy.

“Such companies should be forewarned that similar complaints will be filed against them unless they unilaterally stop sending annoying spam messages to our customers,” Castelo stressed.

Globe specifically asked the regulatory body to order Caritas, a health insurance company, and CGBP, which offers various training and seminar courses, to pay the appropriate fines and penalties for sending spam messages to Globe subscribers.

Globe also asked the NTC to permanently bar Caritas and CGBP, its agents, and employees, from sending messages to Globe customers.

The regulatory body also ordered the 2 companies to appear before the commission on Tuesday, July 15, and to explain in writing within 15 days from receipt of the order why they should not be administratively sanctioned for their actions.

2 other companies face complaints

Globe is now preparing to file complaints against two other local companies whose agents and employees have been identified as sources of spam messages, Castelo said.

He, however, did not disclose the identity of the two companies pending the formal filing of charges against them. But Castelo said Globe would try to convince them to stop sending messages to its customers.

“We hope our efforts to reach out to them would result in the resolution of our concern and they can compel their agents and employees to stop sending text spams to our customers,” Castelo said. – Rappler.com