World

Philippines concerned over data breach risk at passport printer

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines on September 19 said they're really concerned over the data breach at APO Production Unit – a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) in charge of printing passports.

A Philippine passport being printed is seen in this undated photo on the APO Production Unit's website. (Photo: philstar.com)
A Philippine passport being printed is seen in this undated photo on the APO Production Unit's website. (Photo: philstar.com)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines on September 19 said they're really concerned over the data breach at APO Production Unit – a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) in charge of printing passports.

During a Senate finance subcommittee hearing on the agency's proposed budget for 2025, DFA Office of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Adelio Cruz said that the data of 28 million passport holders may have been compromised.

He cited several incidents in which APO's data and system were allegedly breached.

Cruz also took note of the data from different government agencies being hacked, even as some were sold on the deep web.

APO is under the Presidential Communications Office, now led by former journalist Cesar Chavez.

Cruz said the DFA is working on securing a cybersecurity system for all passport data.

He said the DFA is very concerned with the security of the data and they are seriously looking into the possibility of employing a cybersecurity system for all of their passport data./.


VNA
#Philippines#passport#data breach#cybersecurity system
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

More mpox cases reported in Philippines (Photo: aa.com.tr)

More mpox cases reported in Philippines

The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) on September 16 announced three additional cases of monkeypox (mpox), bringing the total confirmed cases across the country this year to 18.

Illustrative image (Photo: Internet)

ADB announces partnership strategy to assist Philippines

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on September 5 that it has launched a new six-year country partnership strategy designed to ensure that the Philippines' growth is sustained, inclusive, and resilient in the face of climate challenges.

See more

At Pulau Seraya power station (Photo: Straitimes)

Singapore begins construction on hydrogen-fueled power plant

Singapore on October 23 began the construction of an 800 million USD power plant that has the capability to use hydrogen to generate electricity, as part of a push to utilise the fuel to reach Singapore’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

125th anniversary of Permanent Court of Arbitration celebrated

The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations and missions of the Philippines, Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, Thailand, France, Eritrea and Austria, organised a ceremony on October 22 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), as part of the International Law Week at the UN General Assembly's Legal Committee (Sixth Committee).

CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Anuar Fariz Fadzil (Photo: focusmalaysia.my)

Malaysia continues placing emphasis on digitalisation

The Budget 2025 provides significant support to further accelerate Malaysia’s digitalisation, encourage adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and drive inclusive growth, further positioning Malaysia as a leading digital hub within the ASEAN region, according to CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Anuar Fariz Fadzil.

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow

Malaysia has attracted substantial foreign investments, reaching 22.2 billion MYR (5.16 billion USD) in the third quarter of 2024, the highest level for the same period since 2012, according to UOB's Global Markets and Economics report.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN speaks at the debate (Photo: VNA)

Maintaining peace, stability a must for progress on human rights: Ambassador

Progress in human rights can only be achieved by maintaining peace and stability, respecting the rule of law at both the international and national levels, and ensuring respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, said Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.

A visitor browses travel promotions at a travel fair in Nonthaburi province. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand plans enhanced support for domestic tourism

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is aiming to increase subsidy to local tourists in the upcoming stimulus scheme to 50% and would like to change the criteria for online travel agents, mandating them to register in Thailand to avoid losing income to foreign companies.

Oil field offshore Indonesia. (Photo: thejakartapost.com)

Indonesia begins major oil, gas exploration in Sulawesi

Indonesia's state-owned oil company Pertamina, along with foreign partners Sinopec from China and Kuwait’s Kufpec, has signed a contract to explore the Melati oil and gas block, located off the coast of Sulawesi. The block is estimated to contain trillions of cubic feet of gas reserves.