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Threat to ban Reddit, Discord likened to China's repression
The Philippines faces potential bans on social media platforms like Reddit and Discord. Civil society groups liken the threat to China's internet censorship, warning of a blow to democracy. Authorities cite the need to combat online child abuse as a reason for demanding local presence from platforms.
MANILA, Philippines — Civil society proponents of the proposed Magna Carta for Philippine Internet Freedom have voiced strong concerns over potential bans on social media platforms like Reddit and Discord, likening the threats to China's stringent internet censorship measures. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) had issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding that online forum Reddit and messaging platform Discord designate representatives and establish a physical presence in the Philippines. Democracy.Net.PH countered that the CICC lacks the mandate to block digital channels and that in a democratic system, only courts can restrict freedoms. The group argued that such actions would be akin to China's "Great Firewall" and that the government should pursue rights-bound, legal solutions rather than performative gestures. The CICC maintains that establishing local offices would facilitate coordination with authorities to combat online child abuse and the dissemination of related materials. This development comes amidst a backdrop of recent school shootings in the Philippines, including an incident in South Cotabato where a 16-year-old student allegedly acted under online incitement. Authorities are actively pursuing a suspect believed to be behind the orchestration of the attack, with the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government noting a "very insidious way of inciting that kind of hate" by preying on insecurities and offering distorted glorification. The shooter's father, an employee of the Department of Education, has been relieved from his post since Sept. 21 as project development officer II in the education support services division in Region 12, DepEd chief media relations officer Denni Legaspi said. Following the ultimatum, both Reddit and Discord have been granted deadline extensions and have pledged to establish local offices and strengthen child safety controls in the country, signaling a commitment to address concerns regarding online child abuse.
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Philstar Nation