MORE THAN 8,000 POGO WORKERS,’ PERSONAL DATA ALLEGEDLY LEAKED IN IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT BREACH

Key Points:

Confidential Leak: An alleged Bureau of Immigration document listing over 8,000 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) workers was leaked online in early December and later deleted.

Source of the Leak: The file was briefly uploaded to a private Telegram channel used by POGO recruiters before its deletion, raising concerns over government data security.

The Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry has been at the center of controversy throughout 2024, with mounting reports of illegal activities such as tax evasion, online scams, human trafficking, and unlicensed operations. Government crackdowns and deportations have painted a grim picture of what was once seen as a booming sector contributing to the country’s economy.

Amid this backdrop, another issue surfaced in early December—a confidential Bureau of Immigration document listing more than 8,000 POGO workers was leaked online, exposing sensitive personal information.

The leaked document, part of the Bureau’s Alert List Order (ALO) system, was intended to monitor foreign workers who must leave the Philippines within a specified timeframe. Failure to comply with the ALO results in the worker being placed on the Blacklist Order (BLO), barring their re-entry into the country.

Details of the Leak

The document appeared briefly on several private Telegram channels used by POGO recruiters before being deleted. It contained detailed information about 8,427 foreign workers, including their:

• Names

• Genders

• Birth dates

• Passport numbers

• Nationalities

The list included individuals from countries such as China, Vietnam, and India—nations with many representations in the POGO workforce. The clear markings and format of the document left no doubt about its authenticity.

Rumors of the leak had circulated from October to November after one user shared a screenshot of what seemed to be the monitoring system from the Bureau of Immigration, particularly among Chinese nationals working or previously employed in the Philippines. However, it wasn’t until early December that the document was uploaded online. While it was swiftly removed, the brief exposure highlights critical lapses in the security of government data.

The Alert List Order system is designed to ensure compliance with immigration laws, particularly for foreign nationals whose work permits or visas have expired. Workers listed on the ALO are given a specific period to leave the Philippines; failing to do so results in their inclusion on the BLO, effectively barring future entry.

This leak comes at a time when POGOs are under intense scrutiny. Earlier this year, Philippine authorities shut down several unlicensed POGO firms, deported thousands of workers, and uncovered exploitative practices within the industry. The sector’s links to illegal gambling, online fraud, and human trafficking have drawn criticism from both domestic and international observers.

China, whose citizens constitute a large portion of the POGO workforce, has also intensified its crackdown on illegal gambling and online fraud. The leaked ALO list is particularly sensitive as it may expose workers to additional scrutiny from their home countries, compounding their vulnerabilities.

Although the document was deleted from the Telegram channel shortly after its upload, its brief online presence was enough to cause alarm. The exposure of such detailed personal information not only violates privacy but also raises serious concerns about the handling of sensitive government data.

The Bureau of Immigration has yet to comment on the incident or address how the leak occurred. For now, the incident adds to the growing list of controversies surrounding the POGO industry, further highlighting the need for tighter oversight and stronger data protection measures.

Original Source: https://kukublanph.data.blog/2024/12/20/more-than-8000-pogo-workers-personal-data-leaked-in-immigration-document-breach/