Cess Gatchalian 

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is facing serious concerns over a potential data breach tied to a state-owned passport printer, potentially affecting over 1 million passports.

:Photo Courtesy of DFA/Philippine STAR.

DFA Assistant Secretary Adelio Cruz expressed alarm at a press briefing last Sept. 20 regarding inadequate cybersecurity measures that may jeopardize sensitive personal information,and  raising questions about the reliability of government services.

“We’ve experienced a lot of agencies whose data had been hacked, some were sold on the deep web. Unfortunately, if I have to say it, we’re not happy with one [government-owned and controlled corporation] that’s in charge of printing our passports,” Cruz stated. 

In the same press briefing, Cruz emphasized their primary concern of the safety of citizens’ data. 

The passport printer, essential for producing official documents, has been criticized for outdated security protocols. 

Cybersecurity experts warn that these vulnerabilities could lead to identity theft and fraud, further eroding public trust in the government's ability to protect personal information.

In response to these growing concerns, the DFA has launched an internal review to assess existing security measures. 

Collaborations with cybersecurity specialists are underway to enhance the passport printing process and ensure the integrity of document issuance.

The DFA has committed to addressing these concerns transparently and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

A similar incident reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer revealed a 2023 breach at the Bureau of Internal Revenue, which exposed thousands of taxpayer records.