Democracy.Net.PH questions CICC ultimatum on Reddit, Discord

• Courtesy of Democracy.Net.PH

Digital rights group Democracy.Net.PH has questioned the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center’s (CICC) 24-hour ultimatum for Reddit and Discord to establish a presence in the Philippines, raising concerns over the legality of potentially restricting access to the platforms.

The statement comes after the CICC recently urged Reddit and Discord to establish a presence in the Philippines and designate a resident agent or local representative who could coordinate with Philippine authorities.

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CICC gives Reddit, Discord 24 hours to establish PH presence

Democracy.Net.PH criticized the CICC’s 24-hour deadline, arguing that establishing a local office involves a lengthy process.

“The demand is absurdly impossible to meet given the arduous process it takes to establish an office in the Philippines,” Democracy.Net.PH said.

The group also questioned the CICC’s authority to pursue restrictions against social media platforms.

“The CICC, a unit under the DICT, has no mandate to ban social media platforms. Under our democratic system, only courts can restrict freedoms. The direction that CICC is taking is heading towards the Great Firewall of China model,” the group said.

The CICC issued the directive following the Sept. 18 shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato amid concerns over violent extremist content and the exploitation of minors in online spaces.

Aside from requiring local representatives, the CICC directed Reddit and Discord to provide written explanations of their existing arrangements and plans to strengthen safety standards, rapid-response mechanisms, and age-verification or age-assurance measures.

Democracy.Net.PH called on the government to instead pursue what it described as rights-based and legal approaches.

“In these trying times, the Philippine government must stop its performative theater and turn to rights-bound, legal solutions that will truly address these problems,” the group said.

Meanwhile, TechWatchPH obtained information from a reliable insider source that the CICC is set to recommend to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) the blocking of Discord in the Philippines after the platform was reportedly uncooperative with authorities.

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

Reddit, on the other hand, has been granted another 48 hours after requesting additional time, according to the source.

As part of the agreement, Reddit is expected to designate a representative in the Philippines, establish a “green lane” to facilitate cooperation with government investigations, and engage in information sharing with Philippine authorities.