The National Telecommunications Commission issued a Memorandum Order implementing measures together with mobile phone manufacturers, distributors and dealers to protect mobile phone users from text scams.

The Memorandum Order — dated 14 September 2022 — states that based on the foregoing, the NTC directs the representatives of mobile phone manufacturers, distributors and dealers to implement measures to inform the public of these protective mobile phone features through various means.

Included in the measure is the provision that mobile phone manufacturers, distributors and dealers shall provide directions to their mobile phone users on how to block texts from mobile numbers not in their contact lists and how to create a spam folder in their inboxes. These directions shall be disseminated through the manufacturer's websites and social media accounts on various platforms.

It also stated that phone manufacturers, distributors and dealers shall put up posters in their physical stores to educate their mobile phone buyers on how to use, enable or activate the text blocking, spam folder and other similar features in their phones

The measure added that they should include in each new mobile phone package an insert or leaflet containing directions on how to use, enable or activate the text blocking, spam folder and other similar features in their phones.

This developed after the agency held an industry-wide meeting on 13 September 2022, where representatives of mobile phone manufacturers, distributors and dealers stated that their mobile phones have various features that can protect users from text scams, such as blocking of unknown numbers and/or diverting said messages to folders similar to spam folders.

The NTC directed the immediate implementation of this measure within 15 days from the issuance of this Memorandum Order and also informed the manufacturers, distributors and dealers that the above shall form part of the mandatory requirements for type approval/acceptance and related permits for customer premises equipment, particularly mobile phone products filed before the NTC.