DFA probes new data leak

Department of Foreign Affairs building. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has taken down its online passport tracking system and all its data sources as it began to investigate a possible breach and “to avoid further data broadcasting.”

According to the DFA, its Office of Consular Affairs was made aware of a data privacy issue involving the tracking system on Tuesday.

“The DFA’s [information technology] unit is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this issue and is taking appropriate measures to secure the data that may have been exposed,” the agency said in a statement on Wednesday.

However, the DFA did not provide other details, including the number of data that may have been exposed.

Launched in September, the Online Passport Tracker is a platform that allows applicants to view the status of their passport application.

The DFA assured the public that it “continues to prioritize the protection and privacy of the data it handles in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) and is working with the National Privacy Commission in resolving this issue.”

“An internal audit will also be conducted to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future,” the DFA said.

Not the first time

In 2019, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. caused an uproar when he asserted in a tweet that a former contractor, the Asia Productivity Organization Protection Unit (APO), made off with data from the department’s passport system after its contract was terminated. Locsin later recanted his statement, explaining that the APO assured him “they were able to access the data.”

“Data is not run-away-able but made inaccessible,” he tweeted.

During a meeting with the NPC investigating the incident, a representative from the DFA said its own “preliminary inquiries on the matter indicate that there was no data breach, because the [APO], a government-owned and -controlled corporation and recognized government printer, remained in custody and control of said data, and that said data has not been shared with or accessed by an unauthorized third party, which may use it for illicit purposes.”

The DFA did not state when its Online Passport Tracker would be up again, but, in the meantime, queries regarding passport application status may be sent through [email protected] or [email protected]; or through tel. 0977-3533942, 0961-9432021, 0956-0526290, or 86519400.