Globe temporarily blocks text messages with URL

It was just announced that Globe Telecom is starting to block all text messages, whether it’s from prepaid and postpaid numbers, that contain URL (Uniform Resource Locators) or website links. This is a move to help in combatting scams and spam text messages.

Globe temporarily blocks text messages with URL

It was reported on GMA that Globe is now starting its new strategy to combat spam and scam messages by blocking the sending of person-person text messages coming from all networks that contain website links or clickable links.

“Before implementing this measure, what we were doing was blocking access to malicious links in text messages to help protect customers. This time around, we’re blocking the actual message. If the SMS (short message service) has a link of any kind, we are not going to deliver it, period. This is necessary to protect our customers,” said Globe chief information security officer Anton Bonifacio.

This is also in response to the directive given by The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) that issued an order to telcos at the beginning of this month to block URLs, links, and fast response codes on text messages due to the rise in spam texts, some of which include the recipient’s entire name.