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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DICT highlights urgent need to regulate social media 'terms and conditions' for public data protection

DICT highlights urgent need to regulate social media 'terms and conditions' for public data protection

Published May 27, 2024 11:00 am

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Monday, May 27, highlighted the need to regulate the terms and conditions of over-the-top (OTT) social media applications regarding the use of public data.

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"For example, when you join TikTok or Facebook, do you really read the lengthy terms and conditions? No," DICT Undersecretary for Infostructure Management, Cybersecurity, and Upskilling Jeffrey Ian C. Dy said on the sidelines of the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023 to 2028 public briefing.

"You know, even if we repeat it to the public ten times, they still won't read it," he added in a mix of English and Filipino.

Thus, he pointed out that the country needed someone to act as a controller on behalf of the welfare of the public.

"That would be (the) government through regulation," he said.

"To regulate the terms and conditions regarding the use of our private data," the DICT official added.

Dy explained that regulation means these apps should adhere to Philippine laws.

Meanwhile, he emphasized that since there are no current rules regarding this matter, social media apps' approaches are "generic," meaning they use terms and conditions that can be applicable in any country without specific laws related to this, like the Philippines.

"When we say they must comply, we will implement rules and regulations and ask them to follow. If not, we will impose stages of penalties, and potentially up to banning them," Dy explained.

But he clarified that there are still no rules and regulations regarding this matter, noting that there are already bills filled in the Congress.

"Let me add, however, even without current (regulation), we're in discussions with social media companies. It's just that, it's voluntary, but I must say that social media platforms, especially Meta and YouTube, are very cognizant of the powers of government and they assist us," he said.

"But regulation is still different because it can be uniformly applied to all," he added.

Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. is proposing a ban on TikTok and other applications from potential "foreign adversary countries" to protect Filipinos.

This proposal is under House Bill Number (HB) No.10489, aiming to regulate “foreign adversary controlled applications” and the app stores and internet hosting services through which users access them.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/24/manila-solon-wants-tik-tok-banned-in-philippines-here-s-why

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Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
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