Congress should follow the lead of other countries and pass legislation to regulate social media, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Friday.
Such platforms needed to be held liable for any illegal content on their sites, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a GMA News report.
He explained that social media sites such as Facebook must be held accountable for how they protect their users’ privacy and how they handle and safeguard users’ data.
Social media sites must also have the duty to take care of its users, including protecting them from illegal and harmful content, Malaya added.
The Philippines is considered the social media capital of the world by amount of use, with 80 million people using social media on average about four hours a day, the undersecretary said.
“Our country is one of Facebook’s biggest markets, accounting for 93% of the country’s social media market share. Since it dominates the Philippine market, it generates considerable profits especially in the last national and local elections,” he added.
Given these, Malaya said Facebook and other technology companies had to be made responsible and accountable for stopping illegal activities— like e-sabong (electronic cockfighting) and child abuse—especially on live streaming and video call platforms.
“Up to now, online predators increasingly use live-stream because most tech companies have not done enough to detect or stop this type of abuse,” he said.
“As a business entity operating in the Philippines, Facebook should never allow itself to be a venue or a tool for illegal activity.”
The Philippines needed to be vigilant in enforcing its laws without fear or favor, even if it involves a social media giant, Malaya said.
“We must build a safe and healthy online environment removing content that is illegal and harmful to the general public.”
