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Scam Watch Pilipinas urges DICT to lead ASEAN platform accountability, rejects “ban-ban” approach
- Scam Watch Pilipinas
Scam Watch Pilipinas is calling on the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to lead a unified ASEAN-wide approach to platform accountability, warning that the government’s current “ban-ban” strategy is not sustainable in addressing harmful online content.
“We cannot ban every online platform for every piece of reported illegal content,” said Jocel de Guzman, co-founder of Scam Watch Pilipinas. “This reflects a deeper challenge in how we engage with global technology platforms.”
The group noted that limited engagement between regulators and major technology companies has led to a pattern where public pressure and threats of platform bans become the default response.
“This is not a sustainable strategy,” de Guzman said.
Scam Watch Pilipinas emphasized that digital platforms such as social media, messaging apps, forums, and websites play a vital role in communication and innovation, but are also being exploited to spread disinformation, fake news, online scams, illegal gambling, and child exploitation content.
“Content becomes harmful when it is distributed, and even more dangerous when it reaches many people,” de Guzman said, stressing the urgency of removing illegal content at the account, post, message, and page levels.
However, the group underscored that effective enforcement cannot be done by the Philippines alone.
“This requires cooperation with technology platforms, mandated by clear policies and regulations through a coordinated ASEAN regional approach. This is not about blame. It is about shared responsibility,” he said.
With the Philippines serving as ASEAN Chair, Scam Watch Pilipinas urged DICT to take a leadership role in shaping a unified regional framework similar to the European Union’s approach to technology regulation.
“A unified ASEAN voice can establish clear standards and strengthen engagement with industry,” de Guzman said.
The group also called on DICT to advance coordinated policy directions that enhance regional cooperation, strengthen accountability, and promote collaboration between governments, industry, and stakeholders.
“The solution is not to ban platforms, but to establish shared accountability through regional cooperation and constructive engagement with global technology companies,” de Guzman said.
Scam Watch Pilipinas said it is ready to support the government and regional partners in advancing a safer and more accountable digital ecosystem.
(The Scam Watch Pilipinas and TechWatch PH are both powered by Truth360 Inc.)
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