Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter will be required to develop a system that will detect and report cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation, a senator said in proposed legislation.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she would sponsor on the floor on Tuesday the proposed Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Law, during Tuesday's plenary session.
Citing data from Relief Web, Hontiveros said cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation increased by 246.6% during the enhanced community quarantine period from March to May 2020. The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking also said the number of cases rose to 1.2 million in 2020, she added.
Such cases are "only seen to rise if tech giants don't initiate major interventions themselves. Tech companies have a responsibility to police and monitor their platforms, where these unspeakable crimes are committed," she said.
"Sila ang may malalim na kaalaman tungkol sa kanilang teknolohiya, kaya sila rin ang inaasahan nating makapagbigay ng matibay at pangmatagalang solusyon,” she added.
Hontiveros' bill outlines the duties and responsibilities of Internet service providers or ISPs, social media platforms, financial institutions and intermediaries in preventing cases of abuse.
Internet providers will be mandated to notify the Philippine National Police or the National Bureau of Investigation about any form of online sexual abuse of children being committed in their facility or server. Social media networks are also tasked to remove abusive content or livestream in their platforms.
ALSO READ:
If You Come Across Child Porn on FB, Telegram, Do Report It
Pornhub Announces Changes After Report Alleging Videos of Abuse
