On cyber libel, telco competition, and the new OSAEC law: The FMA Digital Rights Roundup (August 1-15, 2022)

POLICE ARREST EX-VP CANDIDATE WALDEN BELLO FOR CYBER LIBEL Former vice presidential candidate and Laban ng Masa chairperson Walden Bello was arrested for two counts of cyber libel by the police on Monday, August 8. Bello’s arrest was confirmed by his executive secretary and Laban ng Masa spokesperson Leomar Doctolero. Read more…

On the vision for tech, better internet speed, and online (and offline) violence: The FMA Digital Rights Roundup (July 16-31, 2022)

DIGITAL SERVICES TAX, DIGITAL GOV’T SERVICES: TECH PRIORITIES FROM SONA 2022 President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 25, addressed Congress in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), with some points of his 74-minute speech touching on technology-related issues. President Marcos Jr.’s 19 priority bills include the E-Government Read more…

GenderScoop: Soaring Numbers of OGBV, Policy Development in Gender and ICT, Liability of Internet Intermediaries in the Protection of Women’s Rights and Automation and Digitization Efforts to Bridge Gender Digital Divide

GenderScoop is a monthly digest on gender & ICT in the Philippines July 2022: Soaring Numbers of OGBV, Policy Development in Gender and ICT, Liability of Internet Intermediaries in the Protection of Women’s Rights and Automation and Digitization Efforts to Bridge Gender Digital Divide What we gather this month: Instances Read more…

On initiatives against cybercrime, disinformation, and building hybrid online learning: The FMA Digital Rights Roundup (July 1-15, 2022)

FAKE JOB TEXT SCAMS LIKELY TO PERSIST AS JOBLESSNESS WORSENS Rising indices of Cybercriminals using text messages to trick mobile phone users into visiting malicious websites to obtain their personal information, including banking information, credit cards, and addresses. Authorities have attributed the cause of these incidents to rising unemployment. According Read more…

On digital transactions, online investment scams, policy and reforms in the digital sector: The FMA Digital Rights Roundup (16-30, 2022)

SC: PHOTOS, MESSAGES FROM FB MESSENGER ADMISSIBLE AS EVIDENCE The Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that photos and messages obtained by private individuals from a Facebook messenger account are admissible as evidence in court. The ruling was based on a 31-page decision by Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez after the conviction Read more…

On internet infrastructure, cybersecurity and the fight against disinformation disorder: The FMA Digital Rights Roundup (June 1-15, 2022)

STARLINK SET TO DELIVER BREAKTHROUGH INTERNET SERVICES TO PH SOON The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) speedily approved SpaceX-Starlink’s requirements that will allow the country to enjoy breakthrough internet services through the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network constellation consisting of over 1,600 satellites. Starlink promises to deliver Read more…

GenderScoop: Reaching for inclusivity, leveraging platforms for empowerment and fight vs. disinformation

GenderScoop is a monthly digest on gender & ICT in the Philippines May 2022 scoop: Reaching for inclusivity, leveraging platforms for empowerment and fight vs. disinformation What we gather this month: Manifestations of gender-based violence (OGBV) offline and online. Reports of various forms of gender-based violence continued. How responsive are laws in the Read more…

On Election Standards, Defending Freedom of Speech and Press Freedom, and Upholding Historical Truth: The FMA Digital Rights Roundup (May 16-31, 2022)

INT’L OBSERVERS: MAY 9 PH VOTE FALLS SHORT OF FREE, FAIR ELECTION STANDARDS The election was “not free and fair”. Séverine De Laveleye, a Belgian parliamentarian, said this as she presented the interim report of the International Observer Mission (IOM) on the May 9 elections. The IOM, which was launched Read more…