NPC eyes investigation on ‘fly-by-night’ lending app

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) vowed Tuesday to investigate the online lending app (OLA) UNA Credit after a sports vlogger complained of harassment involving offensive language and threats over a supposed debt he said he never incurred.

Kevin de Jesus, a sports vlogger covering volleyball, said he did not apply for a loan from UNA Credit. However, he alleges that the OLA, through a third-party debt collector, has been sending him and all his mobile phone contacts harsh and abusive messages.

“These intimidating and harsh words are now causing me anxiety attacks. I know I’m not the only one experiencing this; there are many of us,” De Jesus said.

De Jesus sought help from the NPC, which acknowledged receiving numerous complaints against various OLAs.

Roren Milan Chin of the NPC’s communications department said in a Viber interview that OLAs are generally not allowed to access borrowers’ phone contacts without their consent. She added that the NPC is working with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to verify if the OLAs in question have the necessary permits to operate.

“But generally, they cannot access your contacts without your consent and permission. SEC verifies the authenticity of OLAs, as we don’t have a database on that. We have very limited assistance when it comes to debt collection and verification of companies,” Chin said.

The NPC urged victims of harassing messages from third-party debt collectors to file a complaint through their website.

In 2023, NPC commissioner John Henry Naga said that guidelines on processing personal data for loan transactions were amended to include stricter rules on mobile phone camera and contact list access requested from borrowers.

Naga said that the amended guidelines aim to protect both borrowers’ data privacy rights and allow lending companies to conduct business ethically and build customer trust.

The NPC clarified that while lenders may ask for contact list access, it is subject to specific conditions. OLAs must have separate interfaces for borrowers to provide character references and guarantors of their choosing, with lenders only having limited access to the minimum extent necessary for this purpose.