Scam Watch opposes Discord block, urges gov’t to target criminals not users

Scam Watch Pilipinas has opposed the blocking of Discord in the Philippines, saying the government should target criminals and harmful content instead of imposing blanket restrictions that also affect legitimate users.

Scam Watch Pilipinas Co-founder and Lead Convenor Jocel de Guzman said the group remains concerned over what it described as the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) “ban-ban-ban” approach to online platforms.

“Blanket blocking is a reactive policy that affects not only bad actors but also Filipinos who legitimately use Discord for virtual assistance, freelancing, education, technology, gaming, content creation and professional communities,” De Guzman said.

He said the group understands the government’s frustration when global platforms fail to cooperate with Philippine authorities but maintained that concerns over cybercrime and harmful activities should not automatically lead to the blocking of an entire platform.

“We understand government’s frustration when global platforms fail to cooperate. But legitimate concerns over harmful or illegal activities should not automatically translate into blocking an entire platform and disrupting legitimate users,” he said.

De Guzman said the DICT should move toward a more strategic, proportionate and long-term approach to online safety instead of relying on platform blocking.

“This reactive approach must stop before it normalizes increasingly draconian restrictions on digital platforms,” he said.

He also renewed Scam Watch Pilipinas’ call for an ASEAN front on Big Tech accountability, saying online harms cross national borders and require stronger regional cooperation with global technology platforms.

READ:

Scam Watch Pilipinas calls on PH gov’t to build ASEAN Front for Big Tech accountability on harmful content

“In the absence of stronger legislation and regulation, government must find effective ways to compel Big Tech to cooperate with authorities when cybercrime and harmful activities take place on their platforms,” De Guzman said.

“Target the harmful content. Target the criminals. Do not make legitimate Filipino users collateral damage.”

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) earlier requested the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to block Discord in the country.

The CICC sought the action from the NTC amid concerns over the platform’s cooperation with Philippine authorities.