Maya tops NPC’s privacy awareness awards

PHOTO: Maya won at the Privacy Awareness Week Awards 2022 for its outstanding privacy awareness initiative. Maya Senior Data Protection Specialist Denriel Maverick Avila (left) and Maya Data Protection Officer John Christopher Retardo (right) took the stage with NPC Privacy Commissioner and Chairman Atty. John Henry D. Naga (center) to accept the awards on behalf of the organization.

For building a more secure ecosystem for consumers and enterprises, the country’s only all-in-one money platform Maya has won huge recognitions at the Privacy Awareness Week Awards 2022 organized by the National Privacy Commission (NPC).  

Maya won the coveted Privacy Initiative of the Year for its #FraudPatrol campaign for its unique approach to building a culture of privacy that combines consumer protection advocacy, gamified experience, and awareness testing for its employees.   

Meanwhile, the newly established Maya Bank, which powers the digital banking services of the Maya platform, was already recognized as a finalist for the Privacy Management of the Year for establishing customer-centric data privacy practices. Maya Bank Data Protection Officer John Christopher Retardo was also a finalist for the Data Protection Officer of the Year award.     

“We are very honored to be recognized by the NPC for our efforts. As the country’s all-in-one money platform, Maya commits to continuously work with the government and the rest of the fintech industry to uphold data privacy and security,” said Shailesh Baidwan, President of PayMaya, and Co-Founder and Board Member of Maya Bank.  

NPC’s PAW Awards Ceremony recognizes individuals and organizations who have made exceptional contributions to the practice and advocacy of data privacy. 

#Fraud Patrol: Building a culture of privacy   

Privacy Initiative of the Year #FraudPatrol is a testament to Maya’s recognition of the critical role of its employees in protecting the data privacy of its customers. The company utilized engaging activities, including social media challenges, gamified missions, awareness testing, webinars, and interactive content.   

Because of these activities, Maya reported zero victims of phishing and malware attack incidents in the workplace for 2021. The number of employees proactively reporting suspicious phishing also increased tremendously.  

Maya’s default: privacy and security by design  

Maya’s #FraudPatrol campaign is just one of the company’s initiatives to uphold data privacy and security. Maya has heavily invested in privacy and security initiatives across people, infrastructure, products, processes, and design through the years.   

For example, the recently launched all-new Maya app incorporates features starting at the account opening and registration stages. The Maya app offers a stronger Know-Your-Customer (KYC) experience, employing artificial intelligence and machine learning for face matching, ID image classification, fake ID detection, ID OCR, and biometrics.   

In every step of the app experience, users enjoy more robust security, from password or pin requirements to multi-factor authentication requirements for features such as registration, password reset, sending money, bank transfers, and more. On top of these, Maya has continuously been conducting information and education drives, releasing privacy and security-focused advisories on its official social media accounts.  

Stronger data privacy and security through collaborations 

Maya also partnered last year with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on information sharing and capacity building to help combat financial crimes which impact privacy. Most recently, it forged a pact with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group to help prevent and fight financial crimes in the country. 

Maya’s Data Privacy Office has contributed to strengthening data privacy practices in the country by actively participating in NPC’s stakeholder consultations, providing valuable inputs on upcoming circulars, and supporting various NPC initiatives.   

Maya is the all-in-one money platform bringing Filipinos bolder ways to master their money. It is powered by a unique integrated financial services ecosystem that addresses the ever-evolving financial needs of today’s generation through cutting-edge technology.   

Maya leads millions of Filipinos — consumers, businesses, communities, and government agencies alike — into a digital economy that’s more inclusive, transparent, and empowering. Maya is powered by the country’s only end-to-end digital payments company, PayMaya Philippines, and Maya Bank for digital banking services.