Government to probe handling, sharing of online shoppers’ data

MANILA, Philippines — The National Privacy Commission (NPC) will look into the personal data handling and sharing of online stores and their couriers, particularly those that are not registered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), an official said yesterday.

NPC Commissioner Raymund Liboro said online shopping sites and couriers should ensure the privacy and security of their customers’ personal information.

“Being the personal information controller, they have the utmost responsibility and liability under the Data Privacy Act,” Liboro said.

He noted that e-commerce shopping sites should employ data protection officers to handle the task of assuring their clients’ security.

DICT Undersecretary for operations Eliseo Rio Jr. had admitted that online shopping sites have been using the services of unlicensed couriers.

He said there are 113 couriers registered with the DICT that could be tapped by e-commerce sites.

The DICT would issue guidelines for the registration and regulation of online couriers by January next year, Rio said.

Earlier, Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza slammed top online shopping stores for using unlicensed couriers.

Atienza has filed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to look into the operations of unlicensed freight and forwarding services.

NinjaVan, J&T Express and Entrego Philippines are among the couriers that reportedly operate without license from the DICT.

“I thought these companies are small fry, but when I was told that they have around 5,000 motor vehicles operating under their name, they are no longer small companies but illegal couriers,” Atienza said.