DILG is latest government agency to report data leak - Rappler

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MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday, November 10, announced that it received reports of a data breach involving its Local Government Unit Support System-Barangay Information Management System (LGUSS-BIMS).

The system tracks resident profiles; manages issuances, such as ordinances, resolutions, certificates; disaster preparedness plans; gender and development plans and budgets; and reports for national agencies.

In an advisory, the department said that the potential data breach contains Records of Barangay Inhabitants (RBI). These records include household demographics, such as the residents’ names, civil status, occupation, address, contact details, and classifications (person with disability, overseas Filipino worker, or solo parent). 

The DILG has also coordinated with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) and initiated precautionary measures to protect data and strengthen its security system. It has also begun its investigation and will take appropriate action based on findings.

Users have received an email from the DILG about the breach, advising them to report any suspicious activity observed related to the misuse of personal information.

Several government agencies and institutions have recently reported data breaches.

St. Luke’s Medical Center revealed unauthorized access to its mobile application, which is managed by a third-party service provider. The incident includes personal information of patients and employees.

According to an email forwarded to Rappler, the compromised pieces of information include the name, hospital patient number, birth date, civil status, gender, address, email, contact number, dependents, citizenship, and nationality.

Under the Data Privacy Act of 2012, government agencies or institutions that hold personal information should immediately inform the NPC and the affected individuals if their personal information has been compromised. They are also held accountable for the information they hold, including records processed by third parties. – Rappler.com