Facebook investigating, NPC tracking reports on dummy accounts –Liboro

Social media platform Facebook is now investigating the proliferation of fake and dummy accounts, according to the National Privacy Commission (NPC), which said it is now "monitoring reports" mostly from academic institutions.

In a statement, NPC Commissioner Raymund Liboro said the agency is coordinating with Facebook to look deeper into the matter.

"While the extent of these incidents are not yet fully determined at this time, we have been receiving reports from different sectors, mostly coming from academic institutions," he said.

"We immediately brought this to the attention of Facebook. According to Ms. Clare Amador, Facebook Representative in the Philippines, they are already investigating this particular matter as well as other information on unauthorized FB accounts," added Liboro.

The University of the Philippines (UP) earlier urged members of its community to report fake or dummy accounts or duplicates of their names to Facebook's Data Protection Office.

Also, the UP Office of the Student Regent noted that multiple reports on empty, duplicate and fake accounts bearing the name of UP students came after protest actions were launched against anti-terrorism bill in different campuses of the university.

The controversial anti-terrorism bill is now awaiting the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte, after the House of Representatives approved the measure on third and final reading last week.

Several groups have expressed alarm over certain provisions of the measure, which they said could be abused and effectively "dilute human rights safeguards."

"Meanwhile, the Privacy Commissioner has instructed Facebook to report its significant findings as soon as it becomes available," said Liboro.

According to Facebook, "Accounts and Pages that impersonate other people go against our Community Standards and aren't allowed" on the platform.

To report, search the name used on the fake profile or page, or ask friends to find it and click the three-dotted icon on the cover photo.

If reporting a profile, select Find Support or Report profile then follow the on-screen instructions for impersonation to file a report.

The same advise was released by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

"The DICT has been receiving reports on the proliferation of Fake accounts on Facebook," it said in a separate statement.

In the statement, the DICT urged the public to set their Facebook account to private, review and configure setting and utilize all security features available, and report the fake or dummy accounts to Facebook.  —LBG, GMA News