The phone beeps, and the text comes from someone offering an active loan or an online gambling invitation.
Perhaps, as young workers Miss Zhang 44, you just delete them, “hope they will go away” and dismissed these messages is a nuisance.
But the sender may be inciting illegal activity, and the number of such messages to reach the subscribers, the authorities fear that people may be low interest rates and rapid growth attracted by the commitment.
According to the latest figures released by the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data of Singapore, between January and September this year, the public made 8 800 complaints about unsolicited information on loans and online gambling.
This information represents 80 per cent of all complaints received by the Commission, including complaints relating to disclosure of personal data.
While this represents a 20% reduction from 10,700 complaints in the same period last year, the Commission and the Police are urging the public to report police sources to an unknown source when they receive text messages or phone calls related to loans, financial assistance or online gambling.
They can also call the National Crime Prevention Commission’s “X Ah Long” hotline at 1800-924-5664 (1800-X-AH-LONG).
The Straits Times learned that more people could be bombarded by information or telephone loans or online gambling services, but most did not report the news to the authorities.
Sales Manager Aaron Koh, 40, said he received five unsolicited messages this year.
“I did not complain to the authorities because the information came from an overseas number,” he said.
PERSONAL DATA BREACHES
During the period from January to September, the public also submitted 2,200 complaints about personal data leakage and unsolicited telephone calls from private tutors and estate agents.
This is about 20% lower than the 2,700 complaints received in the same period last year.
According to Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (which came into effect in July 2014), organizations that fail to protect their personal data are liable to a fine of up to $ 1 million each time.
The company must check the numbers listed on the “Not Called Registry” before sending out marketing messages or making phone calls.
Launched on January 2, 2014, the registry now includes more than 920,000 consumer phone numbers that do not want to receive marketing offers via phone, text message, or fax.
The Commission has so far acted against more than 20 organizations and individuals under the Act.
In 2014, a data breach involving 317,000 customers imposed a maximum fine of $ 50,000 for Karaoke K Box.
itham@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on December 28, 2016.
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