THE NATIONAL Privacy Commission (NPC) on Wednesday called on digital platform operators to “strictly adhere” to their responsibilities and legal obligations in processing the personal data of child users amid reports linking children’s unrestricted access to social media, online gaming platforms and digital content to exposure to violent activities and offline incidents that also included school mass shootings.
In a statement, the NPC said social media applications, online platforms, digital services and game developers accessible to minors in the Philippines are “legally bound” to comply with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA), the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the law, along with related NPC circulars, advisory opinions and issuances, particularly directives regarding Privacy by Design, automated processing, and the processing of children’s personal data and the personal data of vulnerable groups.
Three school shootings were reported in the country between June and September, in Tacloban City, Zamboanga City and South Cotabato province.
“To protect children from online violence and unmonitored digital exposure, social media companies, online platforms and game developers are called upon to implement effective, privacy-preserving age-assurance mechanisms to restrict minors from accessing platforms or features intended for mature audiences and to cease behavioral profiling that pushes violent, aggressive, or unsafe content to child users,” the NPC said.
“The NPC emphasizes that adherence to the fundamental principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality is essential to responsible participation in the digital economy. Failure to ensure compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, its IRR, and related NPC issuances may result in formal compliance orders, cease-and-desist orders, administrative sanctions, and criminal prosecution, as applicable, under Sections 25 to 33 of RA 10173,” it added.
