They say the hackers would be preventing people from accessing a useful resource

Jan 20, 2014 10:39 GMT  ·  By

The Philippines has recently launched Open Data Philippines (data.gov.ph), a service that allows citizens to access national government data. Officials are asking hacktivists to refrain from targeting the website. 

Filipino government websites have often been breached and defaced by Anonymous hackers as part of protest operations.

Officials cited by GMA News noted that the Open Data website has some security measures in place. However, they don’t appear to be confident in them since they’re asking hacktivists not to deface it.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda has argued that defacing the website would be a great disservice to the public.

This isn’t the first time when Filipino authorities ask hackers to play nice. However, in the past, they didn’t have too much success convincing them. It remains to be seen if this time it will be any different.