CICC Grants Reddit, Discord Extension After Cooperation Pledges

THE Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has extended its deadline for Reddit and Discord to establish a local presence after both platforms pledged to cooperate with Philippine authorities on online safety. “We decided to grant them an extension since they responded within 24 hours and we want to give them the opportunity to work with us because what we want is accountability and a clear mechanism for the government to coordinate with the platforms,” CICC Executive Director Renato A. Paraiso said in a statement on Wednesday. The agency earlier gave the platforms 24 hours to designate a resident agent or local representative in the Philippines or risk restrictions or a nationwide block, as authorities stepped up scrutiny of online platforms following a series of school shootings. “While we welcome their commitment to work with us, we will not settle for anything less,” Mr. Paraiso said. “This commitment must translate into concrete action, genuine accountability, faster response mechanisms and stronger protections for our Filipino children online.” Reddit committed to establish a dedicated “green lane,” giving government agencies a direct channel to flag potentially harmful content, and to designate a Philippine-based representative. The CICC said Reddit also committed to establish an office and create a team for the Philippines, although it did not provide a timetable. Discord, meanwhile, agreed to discuss its existing safety measures for teenagers and work with the government to protect minors from exploitation, grooming and exposure to violent content. “The establishment of a dedicated green lane and the designation of a Philippine-based representative are important steps,” Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald B. Gustilo said via Viber. “Government agencies need clear and effective channels through which legitimate concerns can be raised and addressed, particularly when these involve serious threats to public safety and online safety,” he added. Mr. Gustilo said having local representatives would make it easier for authorities to coordinate with the companies on public safety and cybercrime cases. “Platform accountability and digital rights can coexist,” he said. “Stronger cooperation does not have to mean weakening legitimate online freedoms.” The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is separately coordinating with Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent of Facebook, on user safety. The DICT has also backed proposals to require social media platforms to secure congressional franchises to operate in the Philippines. House Bill No. 4786 seeks to amend Commonwealth Act No. 146 or the Public Service Act to classify social media platforms as public services subject to a congressional franchise.