COLLECTION THROUGH PUBLIC SHAMMING

The recent ruling by the Supreme Court regarding the unauthorized access of personal data by a lending application serves as a critical affirmation of data privacy rights and the need for stringent consequences against violations. In the case of Grace Trimillos, the SC mandated FCash Global Lending Inc. to pay damages after it was found to have accessed her contact list without consent, subsequently sending messages that damaged her reputation. This decision, articulated in a 16-page ruling by Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul Inting, overturned the Court of Appeals' dismissal of the National Privacy Commission's (NPC) findings.

The Supreme Court emphasized that FCash’s actions constituted a malicious breach of privacy, reflecting a blatant disregard for the Data Privacy Act of 2012. The NPC's initial ruling highlighted the excessive collection and misuse of personal information, reinforcing that privacy violations could be pursued criminally. The SC's reaffirmation of the NPC's decision sends a strong message about the obligation of technology companies to uphold data protection standards.