PHILIPPINES REPORTS FOREIGN CYBER INTRUSIONS TARGETING INTELLIGENCE DATA, BUT NO BREACHES
Attempts to steal data are wide-ranging, said minister for information and communications Ivan Uy. Advanced Persistent Threats or APTs have repeatedly attempted but failed to infiltrate government systems, suggesting the country’s cyber-defences have held firm.
SENATE APPROVES BILL TO EXPAND DATA TRANSMISSION, CONNECTIVITY
The Senate of the Philippines approved on Wednesday a bill, certified urgent by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aimed at enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure and expanding data transmission services, a move lawmakers say will promote competition and improve internet access nationwide.
PCSO HEAD SAYS REPORTED DATA BREACH ‘FAKE NEWS’
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Friday dismissed as “fake news” the information circulating on social media claiming that the agency’s database has been breached by a group of hackers.
PH POISED TO BECOME SE ASIA’S DIGITAL-INFRA POWERHOUSE
The data center industry in the Philippines is booming, and the country is on track to become a major hub for digital infrastructure in Southeast Asia. This growth is driven by several factors highlighting the country’s strategic position and its commitment to technological advancement. Analysts at Mordor Intelligence say that the data center market in the Philippines will grow by 14% yearly to hit 954.22 MW by 2029.
TRANSFORMING THE PHILIPPINES THROUGH DIGITAL REVOLUTION
The first phase of the [NFB] project stretches 1,245 kilometers from Laoag in Ilocos Norte to Quezon City, making available high-speed Internet in 14 provinces in Northern and Central Luzon. This legacy project will connect 346 government offices, potentially saving over PHP 145 million each year. It will create 3,000 Free Wi-Fi spots, giving about 750,000 Filipinos the chance to get online for the first time.
INFLUENCERS CHALLENGE HOUSE PROBE ON FAKE NEWS
Thirteen social media influencers and political vloggers have filed a petition before the Supreme Court, challenging the House of Representatives’ investigation into fake news and disinformation.
MEDIA ACCREDITATION MUST NOT SUPPRESS FREE SPEECH, PRESS FREEDOM — SC
Guidelines and procedures for accrediting media representatives should not be used to curtail constitutional rights to free speech, expression, and press freedom, the Supreme Court (SC) said in a 15-page decision penned by Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez.
NO MEDIA KILLINGS IN PH FOR 2024, BUT PRESS FREEDOM THREATS PERSIST
The CPJ noted that the absence of journalist killings in 2024 reflects a “comparatively milder tone toward the press” under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. than during the administration of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who frequently “threatened the media.”
LAWS ON FAKE NEWS MAY BE USED VS. ACTIVISTS, JOURNALISTS, PROFESSORS WARN
At a hearing of a joint congressional inquiry on the proliferation of fake news, Prof. Jonathan Ong said government regulation on social media content could bring more harm than good.
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL PHILIPPINES
By putting cybersecurity at the forefront, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is laying the groundwork for a safer, stronger digital environment to allow businesses to grow, individuals to communicate and do transactions online with peace of mind, and the government to deliver services more efficiently.
PH MEDIA LANDSCAPE IS TRANSFORMING AMID DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS
A recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) highlights the significant shift from traditional to digital media, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences. This digital shift is raising critical questions about the future of traditional media and its ability to remain relevant in an increasingly digital world.
DICT’S CONNECTIVITY INITIATIVES ENVISION A DIGITALLY INCLUSIVE NATION
Under the Bagong Pilipinas campaign, enhancing public sector connectivity has become a central focus. The shift to digital solutions in social protection programs is designed to ensure inclusive access, leaving no Filipino behind.
PH NEEDS TO REINFORCE CYBER DEFENSES
The Philippines has moved to third from fourth place in Kaspersky’s list of countries experiencing web threats. Last year, the computer security firm recorded 14.1 million web threats in the form of phishing, emails and fake ads targeting Filipinos, representing 42.3 percent of local internet users.
DICT FORTIFIES PH CYBERSAFETY WITH NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY PLAN ’23-’28
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023-2028, a comprehensive roadmap designed to protect Philippine institutions, resources, and citizens from the growing threat of cyberattacks. This plan aims to bolster the country’s digital defenses while fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness and responsibility.
DOJ: WHOLE-OF-NATION APPROACH NEEDED FOR KIDS-FRIENDLY INTERNET
The call was made during the kick-off ceremonies of this year’s Safer Internet Day (SID) celebration spearheaded by the DOJ – National Coordination Center against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM).
PHILIPPINE LEGISLATORS ADDRESS INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER RESTRICTIONS
Former Philippine Cable TV Association president and Negrosanon columnist Joel Dabao emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, calling the Konektadong Pinoy Bill a game-changer for small internet service providers (ISPs).
HOW GOOGLE PLANS TO HELP FIGHT MISINFORMATION IN #HALALAN2025
Speaking at the sidelines of the Safer Internet Day celebration for 2025, Google Philippines Public Policy and Government Relations Head Yves Gonzalez said the community guidelines of video-sharing platform YouTube prohibits the spread of misinformation.
SENATE APPROVES KONEKTADONG PINOY BILL
THE Senate passed on third and final reading the proposed Konektadong Pinoy Act (KPA) that aims to improve the country’s internet connection, which is one of the slowest and most expensive in the region.
TikTok marked Safer Internet Day with a series of strategic engagements across the Philippines. Bringing together civil society organizations, safety experts, content creators, and election watchdogs, the platform underscored its mission to maintain a safe, positive, and creatively vibrant space for its growing Filipino community.
PRESIDENT MARCOS TAKES BOLD ACTION VS. RISING CYBERCRIME
A total of 21,300, that’s how many crimes were perpetrated over the Internet or via cell phones in 2023. It’s a sharp rise from 13,890 in 2022, prompting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to address the problem head-on and hands-on.
HOW AI CAN IMPROVE CYBERSECURITY RESPONSE TIMES, RESILIENCE
In today’s hyperconnected digital landscape, the threat of cyberattacks has become a persistent and evolving challenge for enterprises across industries. Data from recent analyses, sourced from studies conducted by Wilson Chua of Watchdog Cyber Defense, highlights concerning trends that underscore the urgent need for robust cybersecurity strategies.
CYBERCRIME COMPLAINTS TRIPLE IN 2024 – CICC
Meanwhile, the total amount lost by cybercrime victims in 2024 reached almost P198 million, the first ever statistics on actual losses to cybercrime released by the agency.
HOUSE LEADER BATS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION TO CURB FAKE NEWS
During a hearing led by the House Committees on Public Order and Safety, Information and Communications Technology, and Public Information, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said improved transparency and accountability mechanisms must be put in place for social media platforms.
MARCOS: BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS VS. FAKE NEWS AMID CAMPAIGN SEASON
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday called on the public to be wary of fake news, disinformation and misinformation being used by electoral candidates as the campaign season is in full gear ahead of the upcoming national and local elections in May.
SOCIAL MEDIA ‘REGULATORY BODY’ EYED TO COMBAT FAKE NEWS
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is exploring the possibility of establishing a regulatory body to monitor and evaluate social media content in a bid to address the growing problem of fake news. In a media interview Monday, PCO Acting Secretary Jay Ruiz revealed that talks are ongoing regarding the potential creation of a social media regulatory body.
PNP TO GO AFTER ‘FAKE NEWS’ PEDDLERS AHEAD OF POLLS
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will ‘run after’ sources of fake news or disinformation to safeguard the integrity and manage the flow of accurate information to the public during the 2025 National and Local Elections.
GOVERNMENT TAPS VERA FILES TO SHARPEN MEDIA LITERACY, FACT-CHECKING PROGRAMS
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced Wednesday it is collaborating with online non-profit news organization VERA Files to enhance fact-checking efforts within state-run media outlets through a series of workshops aimed at fighting misinformation and improving media literacy.
DICT SEES MORE CYBERATTACKS AHEAD OF ELECTIONS
An official of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is anticipating more cyberattacks in the weeks leading up to the midterm polls through inorganic social media engagements attributed to troll farms.
PCW AND DDB GROUP PHILIPPINES’ CAMPAIGN AGAINST ONLINE CHILD ABUSE WINS GOLD AT ANVIL AWARDS
The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and DDB Group Philippines were honored with a Gold Anvil Award at the prestigious 60th Anvil Awards for their impactful short films highlighting the issue of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).
CWC SEEKS STRONGER DRIVE VS CHILD ABUSE DESPITE DROP IN CASES
In a media briefing at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on Friday, CWC Undersecretary Angelo Tapales said the fight against child abuse should take a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach through strong cooperation between government agencies and private stakeholders.
YVETTE COOPER LAUNCHES CRACKDOWN ON AI CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced the UK will be the first country in the world to make it illegal to own artificial intelligence tools designed to make images of child sexual abuse.
INDONESIA LAUNCHES TASK FORCE TO SHIELD CHILDREN FROM ONLINE THREATS
Indonesia has established a specialized task force to strengthen digital regulations aimed at safeguarding children from online threats, following growing concerns over minors’ exposure to harmful content, online exploitation, and social media addiction.
PROTECTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN CYBERSPACE
In Bangladesh, deeply-rooted cultural norms and societal attitudes pose significant challenges to creating safe cyberspaces for women and children.
0 Comments