The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) called on US-based technology company Meta to answer for what it described as persistent shortcomings in protecting Filipino children from online sexual exploitation and other harms on its platforms.
The DICT statement came after the House of Representatives deferred action on the department’s proposed Php 19.49-billion budget for 2027 amid concerns involving Meta.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said he respects the House’s oversight function and supports lawmakers’ efforts to hold technology platforms accountable.
The department said concerns raised during congressional deliberations include online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) and child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM).
The DICT described these as serious dangers requiring firm action and complete accountability.
It also pointed to illegal online gambling, cyberbullying, social media addiction and associated mental health concerns as risks that major online platforms may enable or worsen.
The DICT said technology companies operating in the Philippines are obligated to establish strong safeguards, quickly take down harmful material and work openly and fully with Philippine authorities.
It said Meta has continued to fail in meeting its youth safety obligations, unlike other technology platforms that, according to the department, have cooperated with authorities and improved user protection measures.
The department did not name the other platforms or give detailed information about the safeguards it said Meta had not put in place.
The statement also comes weeks after Meta agreed to a multistate US settlement worth up to $17.1 billion over allegations that Facebook and Instagram failed to adequately protect children and teens.
The agreement, announced on Aug. 26, requires Meta to implement measures including stronger age-assurance technology, parental controls, limits on young users’ screen time and restrictions on nighttime access and notifications.
The US settlement followed litigation alleging that Meta designed features that encouraged compulsive use among young users, exposed them to mental health risks and improperly collected data from children.
In the Philippines, Meta also agreed in August to strengthen cooperation with the government on child protection, including faster action on harmful content, cooperation with law enforcement and measures against harmful AI-generated deepfakes.
The DICT and Meta agreed to establish a technical working group to improve coordination and response times.
The DICT said it would continue coordinating with Congress, law enforcement agencies, child protection groups and technology companies to improve online child protection efforts.
The department stressed that protecting children cannot be compromised and said all stakeholders, especially major platforms, must be held responsible.
