EXPLAINER: What to do when a ride-hailing driver posts your private info to public Facebook groups
Nobody likes having their privacy violated.
Ride-sharing services have provided commuters with comfortable rides so they don't have to fight tooth and nail with other commuters. However, it seems like these otherwise private rides are not as safe as expected.
On X, a discussion about privacy sparked after a post about drivers sharing photos and details of their passengers to public Facebook groups without consent went viral.
“Apparently, Grab drivers have this public Facebook group where they make fun of their clients. Somehow appalling behavior, given that the names and addresses of the clients are also posted,” one user posted on X on Dec. 20.
One user in the replies shared an instance of these violating posts which was originally shared to a Facebook group called "Grab Operator and Driver."
The post was of a picture of passengers in the car with the driver's face covered. The user was warning other drivers to avoid the passenger because of the fare she paid.
Many were understandably disturbed at the possibility of having their personal information shared by ride-hailing drivers without their knowledge and began to warn others to be vigilant the next time they enlist the services of these private taxis.
In the comments section, several users aired their fears and criticisms, stressing how such an act has legal consequences. However, with these groups being public, it is unknown if the poster is truly an agent of Grab.
“If proven right, it's not safe then for us commuters. Imagine having our privacy being posted for fun? Dangerous too having our address being posted,” a user commented.
The controversial post has since been removed by the driver after it garnered much flak from fellow drivers and passengers alike.
“Bro, bawal na bawal ang i-share or i-post ang mga pasahero ng Grab. Mahigpit na pinapatupad ‘yun. Nag-training ka ‘di ba? Paalala lang bro,” a commenter said.
“Mali po ang pagpopost ng mga ganyan. ‘Yung sarili mo tinakpan mo pero ‘yung naging pasahero mo hindi. Pwede ka pong makasuhan nung mga taong nasa picture dahil nagpost ka nang walang pahintulot nila,” another one wrote.
Is it a violation for drivers to share your personal information?
Atty. Ramon Alcasabas, who specializes in data privacy, told PhilSTAR L!fe that when service providers collect your personal information, they must get your consent and inform you why your personal information is being processed.
This usually takes the form of a long privacy policy that customers often skip instead of reading.
According to him, this system is rooted in Section 16 of the Data Privacy Act of 2012, which details the rights of the data subject concerning their personal information.
“The purpose of processing of personal information would generally be confined to what is essential in order to render the service,” Alcasabas said. “If the service provider wishes to expand the usage to include marketing, for example contacting the customer for promos, it should be stated in the foregoing privacy policy or notice.”
“Any misuse by an agent of a service provider, for example, by unlawfully sharing a customer’s personal information, such as name, picture and address, in social media may constitute a violation of the Data Privacy Act,” he added.
Sec. 32 of the Data Privacy Act states that the punishment for unauthorized disclosure of personal information includes imprisonment ranging from one year to five years and a fine of not less than P500,000, but not more than P2 million.
What can passengers do if this happens?
It goes without saying that in using any app, you will inevitably have to share some of your personal information to enlist their services. There’s just no way around it, so how can you guarantee your safety if this right is violated?
According to Alcasabas, you have the right to suspend, withdraw, or order the blocking and removal of your personal information from the provider should you decide that you no longer want to have anything to do with them.
But if the damage has been done, then it is important to immediately contact the company’s data protection officer to remedy the situation. Their contact details are usually provided in the privacy notice.
“Immediately notifying the service provider would certainly reduce the instances of misuse of personal information of customers,” Alcasabas advised.
He added, “Service providers should have privacy or non-disclosure clauses in their contracts with their agents and provide them with adequate data privacy training at the same time.”
Meanwhile, Grab Philippines told L!fe that before they onboard drivers, the company makes sure that they are committed to following the guidelines that highlight a zero-tolerance policy on any form of data sharing.
“If the investigation proves that there is a breach of data privacy, they won’t be able to drive for Grab anymore. Our agreement with them includes that sanction which they abide by. Data security is a huge deal for us as a tech company,” they explained.
Grab has also addressed the complaint on X, saying that they regularly conduct data privacy webinars and online courses via GrabAcademy for drivers.
For passengers who have fallen victim to having their data shared online, Grab has a Help Centre where customers can review their latest bookings on the platform and file a report on their concerns. You can also check the Activity Tab to see the details of the driver you wish to file a complaint on.
"Passengers wishing to file a report on drivers, including concerns around data privacy, may also lodge reports via the Grab 24/7 Help Center," Grab Philippines said.
The company assured that they are now investigating the matter, highlighting, “any required sanctions will be swiftly implemented as part of our commitment to data security and passenger safety.”
Apart from Grab, some X users have pointed out that other drivers from other ride-sharing and courier platforms violate customers' privacy.
PhilSTAR L!fe has also reached out to the National Privacy Commission for a comment.
(with reports from Brooke Villanueva)