Philippines seeks EU-like law against harmful online content

On Friday, Jay Ruiz, the chief of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), called for a law similar to the European Union's Digital Services Act. This law would ban harmful online content if social media platforms do not regulate themselves. Ruiz spoke during a House panel hearing about the spread of false information online. He pointed out that platforms like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube do not have offices in the Philippines. This makes it slow for them to respond to complaints about harmful posts. He urged Congress to support efforts against fake news. Ruiz emphasized the need for stronger laws and standards for moderating content on social media. The proposed Digital Services Act would aim to prevent illegal and harmful activities online while also protecting freedom of expression. Ruiz raised concerns about dangerous deep fake content, where a person's face and voice can be altered. This can make it hard to identify false information. He noted risks like known personalities being involved in scams due to deep fakes, raising national security issues. He described the fight against fake news as essential, comparing it to the fight against illegal drugs. Ruiz warned that misinformation harms children who spend a lot of time online. He stressed the importance of truth in the digital world and encouraged everyone to work together against fake news. Content creators also attended the hearing, including Elizabeth Cruz and Ethel Pineda. One content creator, Reyes, spoke about her commitment to good governance and free speech. Ruiz concluded by calling for unity in combating fake news, stating that misinformation is the real enemy.