DND warns soldiers to refrain from using AI apps

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20) — The Department of National Defense (DND) is urging its personnel, including the 120,000-strong armed forces, to refrain from using apps on digital portraits using artificial intelligence (AI).

In a memorandum issued on Oct. 14, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. described the viral image generator app as posing privacy and security risks.

Teodoro added the app can create fake profiles, which can be used for identity theft, phishing attacks, and other cybercrimes.

“Since we have not really established with certainty what threats they may pose, I think it would be best…I agree with the SND (secretary of national defense) that we should be prudent in using these apps in the meantime,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said on Friday.

A DND staffer said the memorandum serves as a reiteration of an existing department policy on the use of social media to practice caution in sharing data online.

The memorandum urged DND personnel to “ensure that your actions are aligned to the department’s values and are in adherence to existing policies.”

Lt. Col Enrico Gil Ileto, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, ensured they will comply with the DND order.