Illegal software use in government offices bannedDICT has ordered government agencies to use only licensed software to guarantee technical support in times of emergency and scale up operational efficiency. DICT has ordered government agencies to use only licensed software to guarantee technical support in times of emergency and scale up operational efficiency. The order requires government entities to include in their information systems strategic plans (ISSP) the acquisition of licensed software. DICT said the use of unlicensed software could also hurt the country’s reputation to the tech community. As known in the tech community, the use of unlicensed software lacks the necessary patches for security protocols, thus exposing the user to cyber threats, such as malware.

Source: Philippine Star December 26, 2025 16:17 UTC