A WEBSITE that posed as associated with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has been blocked by several internet service providers (ISP) after its owners failed to address privacy violation allegations from the National Privacy Commission (NPC).
The commission last year ordered website lisensya.info to cease operations after some users found that data in the website were accurate, flagging a possible leak in the LTO database. The LTO confirmed that the website is not associated with its office.
NPC in a statement on Monday said the National Telecommunications Commission confirmed that several internet service providers like PLDT, Inc., Smart Communications, Inc. and Dito Telecommunity Corp. have blocked the website.
The website has also been flagged by web browsers Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
“Upon accessing the site through Google Chrome, users can see a security warning saying that Google Safe Browsing recently detected phishing activities on lisensya.info,” NPC said.
The commission’s initial investigations found that the website had no privacy notice or the contact details of its owners. NPC sent a cease-and-desist order on Nov. 12 to owners Jose Minao and Billy James Jimena.
Internet service providers InfiniVAN, Pipol Broadband and Telecommunications Corp., Philippine Telegraph & Telephone Corp., Apo Associated Radio Electronics & Communications Co., and Kabayan Cable TV Systems have also blocked the website.
The website had offered a “motor vehicle authenticator” function, which would show vehicle information such as plate number, registration expiry date, and owner name after the input of a motor vehicle file number.
More than 12 million vehicles were registered with the LTO in 2019. — Jenina P. Ibañez
