The government has ordered major online platforms to comply with local cybersecurity and data privacy requirements as authorities intensify efforts to protect Filipino users, particularly children.
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) directed Reddit and Discord to appoint resident agents or local representatives in the Philippines within 24 hours. It warned that failure to comply could lead to restrictions or blocked access to the platforms.
In separate letters, the CICC said the representatives should be available to respond to Philippine authorities and help address urgent online threats. The directive does not necessarily require the companies to establish full local offices.
The CICC, an agency under the Department of Information and Communications Technology, issued the order following the Sept. 18 shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.
A 16-year-old student allegedly killed two schoolmates and wounded eight others before taking his own life. Authorities said the gunman had participated in an online community focused on true crime. They are investigating whether violent online content influenced the attack, the country’s third fatal school gun incident since June.
CICC Executive Director Renato Paraiso said online platforms must be accessible, accountable and ready to respond when activities on their services threaten Filipino children and communities.
Reddit and Discord were also ordered to explain their existing safety arrangements and submit plans for faster responses, stronger safeguards and systems to verify or estimate users’ ages.
The CICC invited the platforms to join a government program against online groups involved in extreme violence and the sexual exploitation of children. It also asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to arrange talks with Reddit, Discord, Meta and other social media companies.
Show-cause orders
In a separate action, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) issued show-cause orders to Meta, Roblox, Reddit and Discord over their alleged failure to meet registration requirements under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and NPC rules.
A show-cause order requires the companies to explain why they should not be penalized for possible violations.
The NPC said it was stepping up its monitoring and investigation of digital platforms that collect or process the personal information of people in the Philippines. It will assess their compliance with rules covering registration, transparency, lawful data use, user rights, accountability and data security.
The commission said it would take regulatory action against companies found to have violated data protection laws.
It stressed that protecting the privacy, safety and well-being of young people was a shared responsibility among digital platforms, government agencies, parents and schools.
Authorities have not established that Reddit, Discord or the other platforms caused or directly contributed to the Banga shooting. The investigation into the gunman’s online activity continues.
