26 online lenders banned

THE privacy watchdog National Privacy Commission (NPC) has banned 26 online lending applications after complaints were filed against them, raising privacy concerns.

NPC also said the companies failed to provide explanations against users’ claims of Data Privacy Act violations.

The online lenders banned were Cash bus, Cash flyer, Cash warm, Cashafin, Cashaku, Cashope, Cashwhale, Credit peso, Flash Cash, JK Quickcash lending, Light Credit, Loan motto, Moola Lending, Once cash, Pautang peso, Pera express, Peso now, Peso tree, Peso.ph, Pesomine, Pinoy cash, Pinoy Peso, Qcash, Sell loan, SuperCash and Utang pesos.

“The commission notes that the respondent companies and their respective board of directors have failed to appear before the commission or to submit a responsive pleading within the prescribed period, despite notice and the opportunity to be heard,” the NPC said.

“These reported violations serve as a continuing threat to the rights and freedoms of data subjects, particularly since these online lending applications continue to be downloaded, installed and used,” it added.

Last October 4, the NPC said it summoned 67 online lending operators following complaints of maliciously accessing borrowers’ mobile phone book, informing people on the contact list they were named as co-makers or character references.

In other scenarios, agents of online lenders allegedly used social media platforms to post the borrowers’ personal information.

The NPC also said it was in talks with the National Telecommunications Commission for appropriate action, and Google Play Store for its compliance.