Comelec meets Smartmatic over alleged data breach

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) met with Smartmatic officials on Thursday, March 31, to discuss an alleged data breach involving one of Smartmatic's employees.

Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan confirmed the meeting was to address the incident.

Senator Imee Marcos stated that the media was correct in reporting the alleged hacking incident.

Smartmatic spokesperson Atty. Christopher Louie Ocampo had previously asserted that their system was not hacked and the 2022 elections would remain secure.

The Comelec has required Smartmatic and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to submit reports on the incident.

The Comelec Law Department is reviewing the contract with Smartmatic to determine the Commission's course of action.

Additionally, the Comelec instructed its Deputy Executive Director for Operations and Information Technology Department to create a plan to prevent similar issues.