HelloSafe pulls ‘least safe’ ranking, apologizes to Pinoys

HelloSafe has suspended its global travel safety ranking and issued a public apology following backlash over a report that previously listed the Philippines as one of the least safe countries in the world.

In a statement dated 15 July 2025, the Canada-based financial comparison platform said it was halting publication of its global safety index, which initially named the Philippines, Colombia, and Mexico as the “three least safe countries in the world in 2024.”

The company said the article, first published on 20 June 2025, would undergo a full audit pending a review of the methodology and criteria used in its creation. HelloSafe stressed that the ranking was never intended to stigmatize any country and acknowledged the strong reactions from Filipino citizens, media, and institutions.

“We wish to express our sincere regrets for the misunderstanding and negative perception that may have resulted from this publication,” HelloSafe said. “Our intent was never to stigmatize any country — including the Philippines — but rather to provide travelers with a broad, data-informed perspective on various travel-related safety factors.”

HelloSafe explained that its index included not only societal risks but also natural hazards, infrastructure issues, and health system performance. The company said these are complex indicators that go beyond the general notion of “danger.”

Critics noted that this ranking was at odds with the data presented in other parts of the site, further fueling confusion and frustration online.

In response, HelloSafe outlined corrective measures:

1. The original article has been removed from all platforms.

2. The company issued the current public apology as a form of rectification.

3. A comprehensive review of its methodology is now underway to ensure future publications are “fact-checked, contextualized, and based on credible, transparent sources.”

“We extend our apologies to the Filipino community for the confusion and distress this may have caused,” HelloSafe said. “We will work diligently to ensure that all future content reflects these values with greater clarity and sensitivity.”