Philippines considers banning social media platforms over safety concerns

The Philippine government is considering banning social media platforms and gaming apps that fail to protect citizens from violent content and disinformation. Malacañang officials stated that any platform lacking accountability or failing to respond to government requests regarding the protection of youth and the prevention of fake news could face removal from the country.

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is currently reviewing proposals that could target major platforms, including Meta. This scrutiny follows recent violent incidents, such as school shootings in Zamboanga City and Tacloban, where authorities have investigated the role of social media and livestreamed violence.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that the administration's stance is based on accountability rather than censorship. The government aims to establish clear child-safety standards, including effective age verification, parental controls, and the rapid removal of harmful content. A key challenge noted is that many major digital platforms operate beyond Philippine jurisdiction, prompting calls for binding arrangements that require these companies to maintain accountable local points of contact.