Arya News - Scam Watch Pilipinas lead convenor Jocel de Guzman said the Philippines should initiate discussions for an ASEAN framework to set rules for major platforms in addressing harmful content and scams, and strengthening protection for children and vulnerable users, among other concerns.
MANILA – Internet security watchdog Scam Watch Pilipinas on Wednesday urged the government, as the current Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) chair, to push for a partnership with other members of the regional bloc in holding social media platforms accountable for harmful content and scams.
In a statement, Scam Watch Pilipinas lead convenor Jocel de Guzman said the Philippines should initiate discussions for an Asean Big Tech Accountability Framework to set rules for major platforms in addressing harmful content and scams, and strengthening protection for children and vulnerable users, among other concerns.
“For too long, countries like the Philippines have been dealing with the world’s biggest technology companies individually,” De Guzman said.
“When we ask platforms to act on harmful content, scam advertisements, fake accounts or other digital threats, cooperation often depends on the willingness of the platform because our jurisdiction and enforcement reach are limited,” he added.
De Guzman said that instead of being limited to just banning or blocking platforms, the government should strengthen its ability to regulate and compel cooperation by forging “a united Asean front in dealing with Big Tech.”
“If the platforms want access to Asean consumers, then Asean must also have the power to demand accountability from them,” he said.
EU experience
De Guzman cited the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act of the European Union (EU), which required the world’s largest platforms to address systemic risks, improve transparency, protect consumers and cooperate with regulators at the risk of being slapped with penalties.
“The Philippines has the Asean Chairship in 2026 and we should use it. Secretary [Henry] Aguda and the [Department of Information and Communications Technology] have an opportunity to put Big Tech accountability and Asean digital sovereignty on the regional agenda and start building a stronger negotiating position for Southeast Asia,” he said.
According to him, Europe proved that even the world’s biggest technology companies listen when governments act together, adding: “Asean should do the same.”
Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Tuesday criticized social media companies for allowing the spread of content on recent school shootings in Tacloban City and Zamboanga City in violation of current community standards.
The Tacloban shooting in June was carried out by two teenagers and left three students dead, while the Zamboanga shooting was perpetrated by a 14-year-old Grade 8 student who killed another student before shooting himself.
The Zamboanga shooter live-streamed the shooting on his Facebook account and on another livestreaming platform, the footage of which has since circulated online.
Another shooting was carried out by a teenage gunman in a school in Thailand on Aug. 7. The shooter, who killed 6 people before turning the gun on himself, had reportedly been exposed to violent content on social media, including how to use a gun.
“Big Tech operates across borders … harmful content spreads across borders. Regulation cannot remain trapped within national borders,” De Guzman said.
“If Big Tech wants access to nearly 700 million Asean consumers, accountability to those same consumers cannot be optional,” he added.