House Tri-Committee Tackles Fake News and Cybercrime
The House tri-committee investigating fake news and misinformation has proposed amending the existing cybercrime law. Their recommendations focus on regulating social media platforms and taxing content creators to curb the spread of false information.
Ending a months-long inquiry, the tri-comm revealed social media personalities often fail to verify facts before posting. They also noted social media platforms’ insufficient self-regulation. These findings led to a dozen recommendations aimed at effectively addressing the challenges posed by online misinformation.
Key Legislative Amendments Proposed
Five of the 12 suggestions involve amending or creating laws. The first targets Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Lawmakers seek to update it to include clear definitions of social media platforms, set penalties for content-related offenses, and require data disclosure.
Another proposal calls for a new law outlining social media platforms’ responsibilities. This includes enforcing content oversight, authenticating users, and proactively monitoring prohibited content. The creation of a task force to oversee these measures is also recommended.
The panel also supports a law establishing a comprehensive framework to protect the public and penalize false or harmful online content creators and financiers. Additionally, they suggest legislation addressing artificial intelligence threats like deepfakes, automated phishing, and AI-powered intrusions. This law would set ethical guidelines and accountability for AI developers.
Finally, the tri-committee recommends forming a multi-stakeholder Digital Council of the Philippines. This body would regulate social media actors similarly to existing broadcasters’ and journalists’ associations.
Regulating Platforms and Taxing Creators
The panel stresses the need to align the Data Privacy Act with international standards. They propose increasing platform accountability by requiring franchises and accreditation. They also want to enforce data retention policies and improve tax compliance among digital content creators.
Social media platforms are urged to enhance content moderation, fact-checking, and implement safeguards against harmful algorithms. Content creators should be taxed based on verified income from these platforms. Currently, tax enforcement relies on voluntary declarations, which limits effectiveness.
To address this, the committee recommends systems to verify online earnings, including income from foreign sources. They also suggest requiring social media platforms earning from Philippine users or advertisers to establish a legal presence locally. Cross-border data-sharing agreements with relevant jurisdictions are encouraged to support tax enforcement and compliance.
Committee Leadership and Adoption
The tri-committee was co-chaired by Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, Agusan del Norte Rep. Joboy Aquino, and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel. The House of Representatives approved the committee report containing these recommendations during a plenary session on June 10.
The proposals mark a significant step towards combating fake news and misinformation by strengthening laws and holding platforms and creators accountable.
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