BREAKING FIRST IN TECHWATCHPH: CICC to request NTC to block Discord in PH, grants Reddit 48 hours

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) will request the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) tonight to block Discord in the Philippines, while Reddit has been granted 48 hours to designate a point person in the country based on a reliable insider.

Discord has been uncooperative compared with Reddit, prompting the CICC to seek the NTC’s action to restrict access to the platform in the country, the source said.

Meanwhile, Reddit and the CICC agreed on three key points: the designation of a point person in the Philippines, the establishment of a “Green Lane” for coordination with authorities, and information sharing to assist government investigations.

Reddit requested 48 hours to designate its point person, which the CICC granted as the platform expressed willingness to cooperate with Philippine authorities.

The Green Lane is expected to provide a direct channel between Reddit and the government for cases requiring coordination, while the information-sharing arrangement will support investigations involving activity on the platform, according to the source.

The developments came after the CICC issued an ultimatum to both Reddit and Discord last night, directing the two platforms to designate a resident agent or local representative in the Philippines or face possible restrictions in the country.