Meta has agreed to share user subscriber information and traffic data with Philippine law enforcement authorities in cases involving imminent threats of violence, following a intervention by the office of Senator Risa Hontiveros.
Representatives sent by Hontiveros joined a Philippine delegation of key government officials in Singapore on Thursday for a roundtable meeting at Meta’s Asia-Pacific headquarters. The discussions focused on the responsibilities of social media platforms, particularly Facebook, regarding the spread of nihilistic violent extremism online.
As the meeting approached its conclusion without a firm consensus among the parties, Hontiveros’ representatives pressed the social media giant to commit to releasing critical subscriber and traffic data to local authorities whenever indicators of imminent attacks arise, a demand Meta ultimately accepted.
“Ngayong mga matataas na opisyal mismo ng Meta na ang nangakong mas magiging maagap sa mga posibleng banta ng karahasan, dapat maging mas mabilis ang aksyon laban dito,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
The breakthrough coincides with legislative efforts to pass the Child Online Safety and Protection Act, a priority measure for the government. The proposed bill builds upon safeguards established under Republic Act No. 11930, also known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act, which was authored by Hontiveros.
“Mahalaga ‘yan lalo’t isinusulong namin ngayon ang Child Online Safety and Protection Act, isang priority measure ng gobyerno. Mukhang handa naman ang Meta na higpitan ang safeguards nila dahil inabisuhan na namin sila na malapit nang pumasa ang batas na ‘yan,” the senator added, noting that Meta was advised of the bill’s impending passage.
Hontiveros emphasized that Tech giants must remain accountable for the content hosted on their platforms while operating in the country.
“Mahigpit ang bilin ko sa aking staff na hinarap ang Meta: Kailangang linawin sa kanila na hindi pwedeng pinagkakakitaan nila ang mga Pilipino sa Facebook, nang walang pananagutan sa laman nito,” Hontiveros stated. “We will hold them to their word.”