Philippines concerned over data breach risk at passport printer
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines on Thursday said they're really concerned over the data breach at APO Production Unit – a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) in charge of printing passports.
A Philippine passport being printed is seen in this undated photo on the APO Production Unit's website. Photo courtesy of philstar.com.
During a Senate finance subcommittee hearing on the agency's proposed budget for 2025, DFA Office of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Adelio Cruz said that the data of 28 million passport holders may have been compromised.
He cited several incidents in which APO's data and system were allegedly breached.
Cruz also took note of the data from different government agencies being hacked, even as some were sold on the deep web.
APO is under the Presidential Communications Office, now led by former journalist Cesar Chavez.
Cruz said the DFA is working on securing a cybersecurity system for all passport data.
He said the DFA is very concerned with the security of the data and they are seriously looking into the possibility of employing a cybersecurity system for all of their passport data.
- Read More
Bangkok tightens control over street vendors
Authorities in Bangkok, Thailand have issued new rules to tighten control over street vendors.
Southeast Asia - Sat, September 21, 2024 | 10:49 am GMT+7
Malaysia promotes 'modest fashion' Halal industry
The Malaysian Official Designers' Association (MODA) in collaboration with partners from Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Morocco organized the Malaysia Modest Fashion Show on Thursday, as part of the 20th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) from September 17-20.
Southeast Asia - Sat, September 21, 2024 | 10:47 am GMT+7
Malaysia launches national guidlines on AI governance, ethnics
Malaysia on Friday launched its National Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence Governance and Ethics (AIGE) to establish a robust framework for users, policymakers, and AI technology providers to ensure adherence to the highest ethical standards.
Southeast Asia - Sat, September 21, 2024 | 10:43 am GMT+7
ADB to provide $500 mln loan for Indonesia's energy transition
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday announced that it has approved a policy-based loan of $500 million to accelerate Indonesia's transition towards sustainable and clean energy.
Southeast Asia - Sat, September 21, 2024 | 10:41 am GMT+7
World’s largest oil firm Saudi Aramco eyes refinery investment in Vietnam
State-owned Saudi Aramco, the world’s most valuable petroleum and gas company, has expressed interest in investing in Vietnam, including building oil refineries.
Energy - Sat, September 21, 2024 | 10:11 am GMT+7
Vietnam faces serious shortage of cybersecurity, AI laborers
Vietnam's tech market is experiencing a hiring spree, accompanied by a steady rise in industry salaries, according to a report on Vietnam’s 2024-2025 IT market by tech recruitment platform TopDev.
Economy - Sat, September 21, 2024 | 8:13 am GMT+7
Vietnam's F&B sector has potential despite challenges
The food and beverage (F&B) sector in Vietnam has long been an attractive and potentially lucrative market for both foreign and domestic investors, despite facing numerous challenges, insiders affirmed at the Flavours Vietnam 2024 conference in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday.
Southeast Asia - Fri, September 20, 2024 | 11:08 pm GMT+7
Forum in HCMC seeks to accelerate transition to net-zero economy
Clear regulations, bankable projects, the pooling of concessional and commercial capital, and climate capacity are four keys that can unlock the climate finance market, a forum heard in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday.
Southeast Asia - Fri, September 20, 2024 | 11:04 pm GMT+7
HCMC to build more CNG filling stations
Ho Chi Minh City plans to invest in compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations at bus terminals at District 8, Nga Tu Ga and new Mien Dong (Eastern) Bus Station.
Southeast Asia - Fri, September 20, 2024 | 11:00 pm GMT+7
Vietnam Party Central Committee introduces candidates for next-term key positions
The 13th Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee has introduced candidates for the Politburo and Secretariat membership in the next five-year term (2026-2031).
Politics - Fri, September 20, 2024 | 9:58 pm GMT+7
Fed’s rate cut a fillip for Vietnam stock market: expert
The U.S. Federal Reserve’s (Fed) recent 0.5-percentage-point interest cut is hoped to provide a positive boost to the Vietnamese stock market, said Nguyen The Minh, head of retail research at Yuanta Securities Vietnam.
Finance - Fri, September 20, 2024 | 7:34 pm GMT+7
ASEAN, Mekong River Commission agree on cooperation mechanism to tackle water security challenges
Participants at the second round of talks between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Mekong River Commission (MRC) in Vientiane have committed to resolving water security challenges across the Mekong and ASEAN regions.
Southeast Asia - Fri, September 20, 2024 | 5:43 pm GMT+7
Excise tax on sugary drinks not an optimal solution: int'l experience
International experience indicates that imposing an excise tax on sugary drinks is not an optimal solution to control and reduce obesity, experts said at a Friday workshop in Hanoi.
Economy - Fri, September 20, 2024 | 4:45 pm GMT+7
Vietnam’s excise tax on sugary drinks can have adverse economic impacts: experts
Vietnamese authorities should carefully consider possible negative impacts of an excise tax on sugary drinks, experts and businesses said on Friday.
Economy - Fri, September 20, 2024 | 4:40 pm GMT+7
Fed's aggressive rate cut may prompt Vietnam central bank to consider policy easing: UOB
The U.S. Fed’s recent deeper-than-expected interest rate cut may increase the likelihood and pressures on the Vietnamese central bank to consider similar policy easing, said Suan Teck Kin, head of research at Singapore-based bank UOB.
Economy - Fri, September 20, 2024 | 4:22 pm GMT+7
Vietnam’s draft excise tax on sugary drinks needs more scientific basis: experts
Vietnam’s tentative excise tax of 10% on sugary drinks needs a more scientific basis, experts and businesses said at a Friday workshop on the excise tax in Hanoi.
Economy - Fri, September 20, 2024 | 4:02 pm GMT+7
