Nassau, Bahamas – February 12th, 2025 – BTC was proud to join the global community in celebrating Safer Internet Day on February 11th, under the theme, “Too Good to Be True? Protecting Yourself and Others from Scams Online.”
Safer Internet Day is an international initiative promoting a safer, more responsible, and inclusive digital world, and this year’s theme highlights the importance of staying vigilant and proactive against the growing threat of cyber scams.
With a 43% increase in cyberattacks across the Caribbean and Latin America since 2021, protecting against cybercrime has never been more critical. Research indicates that one in twenty-three organizations in the region is impacted by cyber threats weekly.
In partnership with its parent company, Liberty Latin America (LLA), BTC and C&W Communications launched several initiatives to mark Safer Internet Day with a range of education and awareness campaigns designed to reach the youngest and oldest internet users. BTC centered its activities on educating seniors about staying vigilant and adopting safer internet practices. The company hosted a “Safer Internet Day Talk for Seniors” at Fusion Superplex, which brought together representatives from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Ministry of National Security, the National Insurance Board, the Bank of the Bahamas, and the Consumer Protection Commission – all collaborating to raise awareness about internet safety.
Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer, C&W Communications, noted that “Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. As the Caribbean’s leading telecommunications provider, we are committed to informing, advising, and educating stakeholders about online safety.”
Anthony Newbold, Assistant Manager of Customer Care at Bank of the Bahamas Limited said BTC’s Safer Internet Day event was an indication that the company is interested in ensuring that seniors are protected when conducting any type of business online. “With all of the various speakers from the different industries providing relevant information, I think it helps them to understand the importance of making sure that whatever they do online is done safely,” Newbold said.
Inspector Chekesha McPhee of the Digital & Forensic Unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force gave the seniors an inspiring presentation about online scams. “We know that may of our seniors own smart devices so I wanted to better educate them about the different types of scams that they would encounter daily so that they can be aware and protect themselves from being a victim,” Inspector McPhee said.
Felipe Ruiz, VP, Information Security, and CISO, Liberty Latin America commented, “As a leading connectivity provider in the region, it is our responsibility to help make the internet and digital technologies safer for everyone. That’s why, every year on Safer Internet Day, we take a moment to reflect on our efforts to keep our communities safe. A key part is raising awareness about potential risks and sharing best practices. This year we’re sharing resources to help you, your family, your business, and everyone in your community stay safe online. Through understanding, we grow stronger and together, we can make the internet a better place.”
