Digital Rights Round Up (October 1 to 31, 2025)

STUDENTS, SCHOOLS PRIORITIZED UNDER KONEKTADONG PINOY ACT, DICT DIRECTOR SAYS

Castro underscored that the law complements the Free Wi-Fi Act, which is tasked with providing free internet in public places, including schools to ensure learners and educators gain consistent and reliable online access for teaching and learning.

PH SIGNS LANDMARK UN CONVENTION AGAINST CYBERCRIME

The Philippines has officially joined the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime — the world’s first comprehensive global treaty aimed at combating crimes committed through information and communications technologies.

PHILIPPINES AMONG TOP TARGETS FOR CYBERATTACKS IN 2025 — REPORTS

The Philippines ranked among the world’s most targeted countries for cyberattacks in 2025, with new reports from Microsoft and Kaspersky revealing persistent threats against the government, industrial, and education sectors.

NPC STOPS IRIS-SCAN TECH, BUT DICT EYES IT FOR USE

The NPC called for Tools for Humanity, the company behind Worldcoin, to immediately stop collecting and processing Filipinos’ biometric data through its “Orb” scanners. The commission said, “This decision follows a determination by the NPC that TFH has committed several violations of the Data Privacy Act of 2012, its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), and issuances.”

DATA PROTECTION TAKES CENTER STAGE AS AI ADOPTION EXPANDS IN PH

The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Philippines is reshaping industries and creating new challenges in data security, according to discussions at the AIBP Summit Philippines 2025.

NEW ICT SURVEY DATA SEEN AS KEY TO CLOSING PH DIGITAL DIVIDE

The Philippine Statistics Authority said the [2024 National ICT Household Survey (NICTHS)] findings are being used to support major development frameworks, including the Philippine Development Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)’s digitalization initiatives.

GCASH DENIES DATA BREACH AS PRIVACY COMMISSION STARTS PROBE

GCash is under investigation for the alleged breach of data on estimated 8 million users, which the leading e-wallet platform has strongly denied.

EXEC CITES NEED FOR CLOSER PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLAB VS. CYBER THREATS 

Strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to counter the growing threats posed by cybercriminals, according to an official from a global cybersecurity and digital privacy firm.

PAGCOR, NPC TO STRENGTHEN DATA PRIVACY IN GAMING INDUSTRY

In a statement Tuesday, PAGCOR said under the agreement, signed on Oct. 20, the two agencies would address data privacy challenges, enhance stakeholder collaboration, and promote a “secure and trusted” gaming environment.

PTFOMS MULLS MORE PROTECTION MEASURES FOR MEDIA

PTFoMS chief Jose Torres Jr. said this before members of the Philippine National Policr (PNP) Press Corps in Camp Crame on Thursday as he went various press offices in the country to hold dioalogues and formulate recommendations for legislation to protect media workers’ welfare.

NOT ALL JOURNALIST KILLINGS ARE WORK-RELATED, SAYS PRESIDENTIAL MEDIA SECURITY TASK FORCE

In a press briefing, PTFoMS Executive Director Jose Torres Jr. said that of the 200 media killings recorded since 1986, only 75 are considered work-related. Media organizations like the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility consider media killings and attacks as work-related until proven otherwise. 

MEDIA GROUPS URGE THOROUGH PROBE ON 8TH JOURNO KILLED UNDER MARCOS JR ADMIN

Media groups urged authorities to carry out a full and thorough investigation into the murder of broadcaster Noel Samar.  

PCO SECRETARY URGES LAWMAKERS TO PASS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAW

President Marcos’ press secretary has urged lawmakers to pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill into law amid the clamor for transparency and accountability in the flood control project anomalies.

AI MAY WORSEN PHILIPPINES DIGITAL DIVIDE – EXPERTS

Artificial intelligence (AI) could worsen the digital divide in the Philippines unless the government acts fast to strengthen data systems, expand digital connectivity and implement safeguards, experts warned. Philippine Institute for Development Studies president Philip Arnold Tuaño described AI as both a powerful tool and a looming threat.

THE PHILIPPINES: NEW ICT DATA GUIDES GREATER DIGITAL INCLUSION

The release of the 2024 National ICT Household Survey (NICTHS) is being hailed as a crucial step in addressing the digital divide in the Philippines. The survey’s findings are expected to shape policies that promote wider access to technology and ensure that no community is left behind in the country’s ongoing digital transformation.

PNP CYBER UNIT TO WATCH OVER SOCIAL MEDIA DURING ‘UNDAS’

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said police cyber units will operate in tandem with regional monitoring hubs to watch over social media chatter and digital incident reports that could indicate emerging threats or misinformation.

DEEPFAKES, DATA LEAKS DRIVE 49% SURGE IN PH CYBERATTACKS: REPORT

According to Viettel Cyber Security’s Q3 2025 Cyber Threat Landscape Report, the country saw a 49% increase in data breaches from the previous quarter, with more than 52 million user credentials exposed between July and September 2025.

ONLINE COURSE PROVIDER CITES PH’S READINESS FOR AI-RELATED INNOVATION

The Philippine government is responding well to the continued technological innovation by including in its development plan policies for the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in its processes, an official of an online course provider said Thursday.

GOVERNMENT AIMS TO FURTHER EXPAND FREE INTERNET ACCESS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released a total of ₱3 billion to further widen free Wi-Fi access for students and teachers, especially those in last-mile schools and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).

OVERPRICED WI-FI SUBSCRIPTIONS HIT DICT

Another case of overpricing involving the government’s free public Wi-Fi program was uncovered at a Senate hearing.

PH RANKS AMONG TOP GLOBAL INTERNET AND AI USERS: REPORT

The [Meltwater and We Are Social] report reveals that 83.8% of Filipinos are now active Internet users, with the country ranking 12th globally in total number of users — over 98 million individuals.

FILIPINOS RANK AMONG WORLD’S TOP CHATGPT USERS

This figure places the country sixth globally, trailing only Kenya (49.5 percent), Brazil (49.1 percent), Israel (49 percent), Malaysia (48.4 percent) and the United Arab Emirates (44.7 percent), and stands well above the global average of 26.5 percent.

URGENT REFORMS NEEDED TO SPEED UP INTERNET ROLLOUT

A consumer advocacy group has urged policymakers to prioritize legislation that addresses regulatory blocks hindering the country’s digital infrastructure rollout.

PNP: ANTI-CYBERCRIME OPERATIONS INTENSIFY

Acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. yesterday said the PNP is looking forward to an enhanced cybersecurity posture after the country became one of the first countries to join the global treaty.

UP INKS PACT WITH CONVERGE FOR AI, CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION

The University of the Philippines (UP) and Converge ICT Solutions have signed a three-year partnership aimed at preparing the next generation of Filipino digital leaders in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies.

PHILIPPINES LAUNCHES NATIONAL AI STRATEGY

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) kicked off its 1st National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (Naisph) on Monday, a conference that presented its vision of an AI-driven future to government officials, industry leaders, academics and civil society representatives. DOST Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized the need for collaboration across all sectors.

GEN Z COMMUNICATORS EMPOWERED TO LEAD FIGHT VS FAKE NEWS

Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga empowered the next generation of communicators to champion media literacy and take a proactive stand against fake news.

DICT, META TIGHTEN WATCH AGAINST AI-DRIVEN SCAMS, ONLINE DISINFORMATION

DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda and Meta officials have discussed strategies to counter the misuse of emerging technologies that enable the rapid creation and spread of fabricated content, including disinformation and misinformation, phishing attempts, and other digital scams targeting Filipino users.

PHL URGED TO BOOST MEDIA LITERACY IN SCHOOLS TO FIGHT DISINFORMATION SPREAD

THE PHILIPPINES should prioritize media and information literacy in schools as artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates the spread of disinformation, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said.

ERWIN TULFO STRESSES NEED FOR ACCOUNTABILITY ON FAKE NEWS AT 151ST INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION

Senator Erwin Tulfo expressed the need to institute accountability mechanisms against spreaders of false information in a bid to uphold and strengthen democracy at the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland.

MARCOS ORDERS DICT TO MAKE CHRISTMAS SEASON FREE OF ONLINE SCAMS

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has tasked the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to wipe out online scams to ensure Filipinos are at ease when doing online transactions during the Christmas season.