The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is considering banning the messaging platform, Telegram, over issues of cybercrimes, including online gambling and exploitation.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda mentioned reaching out to Telegram to coordinate the enforcement of local regulations. It wasn’t clear if they had indeed made contact, but Aguda said it was difficult.
Aguda has also reached out to Meta to discuss the same issues. He stressed that sex exploitation and child abuse are “non-negotiable,” and if actions are not taken, Aguda said the Philippines will block these platforms.
Aguda said during an interview with DZRH that if he sees one more incident, he won’t care who gets mad and will push for blocking platforms.
In 2024, the co-founder and CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov, was arrested in France for failing to monitor criminal activity on Telegram. He has been released on bail and is currently under investigation.