New Pldt and Smart Privacy Program Sets Benchmark for Data Protection in Southeast Asia

PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are putting Filipinos in charge of their own data, selecting OneTrust, the AI-ready governance platform, to help PLDT give customers unprecedented control over how their information is used, while setting a new regional benchmark for privacy and trust.

PLDT and Smart have unveiled their unified consent program, leveraging the OneTrust Universal Consent and Preference Management (UCPM) solution. With Smart serving over 59 million wireless subscribers and PLDT Home connecting 3 million fixed-line customers, the PLDT Group’s integration of OneTrust's robust consent and preferences capabilities empowers more individuals than any other telco in the SEA region––offering them greater control and visibility of their data. The OneTrust UCPM solution centralizes how customer privacy choices are collected and managed, highlighting the telcos’ commitment to data protection and customer empowerment.

OneTrust’s UCPM solution brings significant benefits to PLDT, Smart, and their millions of customers. The OneTrust UCPM solution empowers PLDT and Smart to streamline compliance with consent rules and make direct marketing more efficient and targeted. It also enables deeper customer insights, helping companies deliver relevant content and services and drive personalization while following privacy standards.

OneTrust’s UCPM solution enables PLDT and Smart to offer customers greater control over personal data. PLDT and Smart customers can easily manage their privacy settings and ensure that data sharing within PLDT’s ecosystem happens only with their explicit consent. This leads to smarter recommendations, curated content, and a safer, more personalized digital experience.

“Our commitment to privacy by design is reinforced through UCPM. It empowers our customers by giving them control over their data while positioning us to enable responsible data monetization in the future,” said Leah Jimenez, Chief Data Privacy Officer of PLDT and Smart.

“The PLDT Group’s implementation of OneTrust’s UCPM solution sets a new standard for consent management in Southeast Asia,” said Ojas Rege, SVP & General Manager at OneTrust. “Consent drives personalization and, therefore, value for customers, enabling long-term connection and loyalty. This shows companies can prioritize customer trust and ensure responsible data use while accelerating innovation.” OneTrust is a leading entity in the privacy technology sector, offering out-of-the-box solutions that automate privacy operations to scale compliance and reduce regulatory risk.

With OneTrust’s UCPM solution, PLDT and Smart are strengthening data privacy while setting a regional benchmark for responsible innovation. This initiative is part of PLDT and Smart’s broader program to reinforce cybersecurity and data privacy across the organization, underscoring their commitment to elevating the quality of customer experience.