Manila, Philippines – The rise and growth of modern technology have indeed a significant and positive benefit in terms of information gathering and communications.
Consequently, during the recent years, it has also posed risks and threats to security, now being used as a platform for indecent crimes and illegal activities like scams, bullying, and exploitation.
With this, the Department of Information and Communications technology (DICT) have intensified its measures towards the crackdown of these illegal activities online.
In January, DICT suspended the access of AI Chatbot Grok in the country following concerns over generating sexually explicit and non-consensual deepfakes particularly targeting minors.
Three days later, DICT lifted the ban following corrective measures from the Grok management.
Aside from Grok, DICT have also found Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and illegal gambling allegations against Telegram app, directly reaching out to the company for a swift action against these crimes.
Secretary Henry Aguda noted that there was no need for a Telegram ban after its immediate response and action to limit and filter out these contents, if not totally removed.
About the Roblox game, DICT have likewise sent an email to its management to raise concerns on child abuse and exploitation, setting a meeting after the Holy Week.
DICT emphasized that banning an app is the last resort for the agency, and that all concerns and complaints follow a due process.
More than close monitoring, DICT strengthens its cooperation with social media platforms to support stricter policy implementation and security regulations among these apps.
On the other hand, DICT expressed strong commitment in compliance with the proposed social media ban on minors, if it is enacted as a law.