Author: Dawn Solano

A text message containing a one-time password (OTP) often serves as the final step before an online banking transaction is completed. However, the same code has also become a target for scammers, who trick victims into revealing OTPs through phishing links and fake customer service calls. Due to these risks, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is urging banks and financial institutions to adopt stronger authentication methods that do not rely solely on SMS-based OTPs.Under BSP Circular No. 1213, financial institutions supervised by the central bank are required to implement phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA) as part of enhanced cybersecurity measures. …

Appliance brand Midea is aiming to recover twice the amount of plastic associated with the products it sells in the Philippines, as part of efforts to expand its sustainability initiatives.Raul Joseph Concepcion, president of the Concepcion Industrial Corp., distributor of Midea appliances in the country, said the company initially committed to recovering 100 percent of the plastic equivalent of what it puts into the market. This exceeds the government’s mandated recovery requirement. “We said 100% right away, first year. I went in, I said, no, we’re going to do 200% next year,” Concepcion told reporters on the sidelines of MideaCon…

Ubisoft has confirmed that a remake of its popular pirate-themed game “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” is in development, reviving one of the most beloved titles in the long-running franchise more than a decade after its original release. The remake, reportedly titled “Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced,” was acknowledged by the French game publisher in a blogpost as part of a broader update outlining the future of the Assassin’s Creed series. The project had long been rumored following leaks and hints from industry insiders before Ubisoft finally confirmed its existence. First released in 2013, “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” follows…

Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in the Philippines is moving past the early testing stages with companies starting to use the technology in more practical and structured ways, a shift that could reshape the country’s information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) industry, according to Amazon Web Services (AWS).The IT-BPM sector is one of the Philippines’ largest economic drivers, generating about $31 billion to $33 billion in revenue in 2022, according to government data. At a recent media briefing, AWS said many Philippine firms initially used AI for simple tools like customer service chatbots. However, companies are now taking a more serious approach,…

Apple has doubled the base storage of its entry-level iPhone with the launch of the iPhone 17e, making the device as a value-driven option within the iPhone 17 series. While market intelligence company International Data Corp. (IDC) projects that Apple will have a record year in 2025, as boosted by the sales of iPhone 17, the company is still considered lagging behind AI adoption in its devices. This release could help the company maintain the momentum and capture a larger market. The iPhone 17e now starts at 256GB, up from the previous generation’s base configuration, while retaining a starting price…

Smart devices brand HONOR presented a prototype “Robot Phone” at MWC 2026 in Barcelona featuring a mechanically moving camera module integrated into the device.Unlike conventional smartphones with fixed lenses, the prototype uses a motorized multi-axis that allows the 200-megapixel camera sensor to tilt and swivel independently of the phone body. The company said the moving camera is designed to support video recording, subject tracking and stabilization. The module can also react to music and perform programmed physical motions. For vloggers and content creators, a multi-axis system can function like a hand-held gimbal. With the camera now allowed to move independently,…

Filipinos can now request civil registry documents from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) without leaving the GCash app. In an advisory, GCash said it has integrated PSA document requests into GLife through the PSAHelpline mini-app. The feature allows GCash users to order copies of birth, marriage and death certificates, as well as Certifcate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)The service is coursed through PSAHelpline, an authorized partner of the PSA, which processes and delivers civil registry documents nationwide. Based on the details in GCash’s Help Center, users can access the service by GLife within the app and selecting PSAHelpline. To use the…

Short-form video platform TikTok said it uses behavioral signals beyond self-declared birthdates to detect minors and apply age-appropriate safeguards, as the platform faced questions over enforcement in shared-device Filipino households and regulatory scrutiny abroad.The popular social media app faced investigation in Europe, earlier in February this year, under the Digital Services Act, wherein the European Commission examined whether features such as autoplay and algorithmic recommendations could contribute to compulsive behavior among users.During a teen safety forum held last Feb. 19, TikTok Philippines outlined protections for users aged 13 to 15, including private-by-default accounts, disabled direct messaging and limits on content…

Blizzard Entertainment has confirmed it is developing a new mobile game set in the world of Overwatch, expanding the franchise beyond its PC and console roots. In a development update, the US-based studio said the project, titled Overwatch Rush, is being built specifically for mobile platforms and is currently in early development.  The company clarified that the game is not a port of the existing Overwatch title, but a separate experience designed for smartphones and tablets. Blizzard said the project is being handled by a dedicated team with experience in mobile development. The core Overwatch team will continue focusing on…

Google has enabled earthquake alerts to be sent directly to Wear OS smartwatches even when they are not connected to a smartphone. This could be useful for a quake-prone country like the Philippines.  In its latest Google Play Services v26.07 release notes this week, Google said Wear OS devices can now receive earthquake alerts even when not paired with a phone, allowing the smartwatch to deliver quake warnings on its own for the first time.Before, smartwatch alerts depended on notifications mirrored from a connected Android handset.The Philippines sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent seismic activity.State seismologists…