GCash tightens account verification to fight vote buying

The country's leading mobile wallet GCash said it has strengthened its user verification process amid fears that the platform may be tapped for illegal vote-buying for the May 2022 polls.

File photo: GCash mobile app

GCash heightens measures vs vote-buying

GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon said this move would allow the company "to enhance traceability of transactions within the GCash platform". This, as the official reiterated GCash's commitment to promoting responsible use of digital payment platforms.

We will ensure that the digital products, platforms, and services offered are not misused for vote-buying, vote-selling and other illegal partisan political activities during the elections, Sazon said.

She also said that GCash will bank on its huge user base—reaching more than 55 million—to further boost its information campaign, beat fake news and election-related illegal activities.

The GCash executive made this vow during the virtual launch of FinTech Alliance Philippines and the E-Money Association of the Philippines’ (EMAP) advocacy campaign on responsible use of digital payment platforms.

The campaign was launched in collaboration with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

BSP Chief Benjamin Diokno urged financial institutions to always be on guard against illegal financial activities, especially at the height of the campaign period.

BSP also calls on the financial institutions under its supervision to enhance the surveillance and monitoring mechanisms against digital vote-buying and selling and help citizens better prevent and detect such illegal acts, Diokno said.

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