Malacañang open to broader restrictions on digital platforms

Malacañang is open to considering a ban on Facebook and other digital platforms if these are found to be harmful to Filipinos, particularly young people.

Presidential Communications Office Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement Tuesday when asked if the Palace would support a possible ban on Facebook being considered by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).

Castro said the government would have to study first whether a platform is doing enough to address concerns over violence, fake news and other harmful content.

“Kung kinakailangan po,” Castro said when asked if banning a platform could be considered.

She said the government has to look at the accountability of social media companies, especially if they continue to be slow in responding to calls to protect users.

“Kung hindi magkakaroon ng accountability ang anumang social media platform at parang nababalewala ang ating mga hiling para maproteksyunan ang ating mga kababayan laban sa karahasan, laban sa fake news, mabagal ang pagtugon, magandang pag-isipan at pag-aralan kung dapat silang manatili na parte ng ating sistema,” she said.

Castro said the issue would not be limited to Facebook or social media platforms.

“Sa lahat. Maaaring gaming app, lahat ng pwedeng masasabing makakasira sa ating kabataan at sa bansa natin, open po tayo na matanggal ng lahat ng iyan,” she said.

However, Castro stressed that the Palace is not against criticism or legitimate opinions expressed online.

“Iba naman po kasi iyong fake news. Iba naman iyong ikaw ay naglalahad lamang ng iyong opinion, kritiko ka, hindi po yan pinagbabawalan,” she said.

“Wala pong pinagbabawalang kritiko lalong-lalo na sa panahon ngayon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.”

Castro said the administration’s concern is the spread of fake news, which she said could have serious consequences for the country, particularly for young Filipinos.

“Ang hindi lamang po natin matatanggap, lalong-lalo na ang hindi matatanggap ng Pangulo ay ang paglaganap ng fake news,” she said.

“Kasi kapag fake news ang umiral sa atin at ngayon tayo ay nabubuhay sa fake news, paano na po ang magiging kinabukasan ng ating mga kabataan at kinabukasan mismo ng ating bansa kung sa fake news tayo mabubuhay.”

Castro’s remarks came after the CICC raised the possibility of banning Facebook or Meta following recent incidents of deadly violence allegedly linked to social media activity.IMT