Philenews

From My Notebook: "Please Leave Your Mobile in the Locker…"

Published January 11, 2026, 09:13
From My Notebook: "Please Leave Your Mobile in the Locker…"

The author describes a growing practice encountered in various government agencies and the Presidential Palace: the mandatory handover of mobile phones to security lockers before meetings. This practice, which began years ago in embassies, has become commonplace due to concerns about communication security. The author questions the security of modern communications, including video calls and computers, and whether interlocutors can be sure they are not being recorded. The lack of security in communications and the ease with which they can be monitored create a climate of distrust, despite the increasing dependence on technology.