The Senate approved Senate Bill No. 289, an amendment to the Safe Spaces Act, on Tuesday, January 14.
The amendment aims to combat gender-based online sexual harassment exacerbated by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
This legislation consolidates previous proposals from Senators Cynthia Villar and Robinhood Padilla, with sponsorship from Senator Risa Hontiveros.
Hontiveros emphasized the necessity of this bill, stating it addresses urgent concerns voiced by constituents, particularly young women in educational settings.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, Senator Hontiveros highlighted the chronic nature of deep fakes and shed light on how pornography is being created with the use of these emerging technologies. Internet intermediaries will be mandated to act swiftly against harmful content, removing it within 24 hours of notification from authorities.
Violators could face imprisonment or fines ranging from P10,000 to P100,000.