Monday, January 27, 2014

Philippines Cyber Crime Law: Facebook ‘like’ could land you in jail.

Next time you want to “like” something on Facebook, may land you in jail.  The Philippines Cyber Crime Law is taking away the freedom to post on social media sites.




Philippines Cyber Crime Law
 
Filipinos are some of the most social online users.  They rank among the top 10 users of both Facebook and Twitter in the world.

According to the new Cybercrime Prevention Act, you can end up in jail if you participate in cybersex, identity theft, hacking, spamming, pornography, and social media sites in the Philippines.


Philippines Cyber Crime Law Protest



This new law that was signed into effect on September 12 by President Benigno Aquino III.

The ones who are liable are the ones who made the original post and the ones who share or ‘like’ them.

The law has caused many protests among the 35 million Filipino users and social media socialites out of the 95 million population.

Hackers are sending messages defacing government websites while others are creating petitions to stop the law.  There are no current signs that the government aims to start a repeal.
“Even Mark Zuckerberg can be charged with cyber-libel,” the senator said.
The provision, according to Guingona, is very broad and vague, and it’s not even clear on who should really be liable for the social media statement.  Anyone who is found guilty, is likely to spend up to 12 years in prison.


Philippines Cyber Crime Law Manila


Petitions have been declared to the law as unconstitutional and files before the Supreme Court.

The Human Rights Watch has expressed dismay over the controversial law, this is a serious threat of their freedom of expression.

The government has criticized the hacking of its websites but says it welcomes any protest.

Sen. Vicente Sotto III makes no apology for being the senator to focus on the provision for libel last minute.
Lawyers are saying the Philippines’ Cybercrime Prevention Act has done what the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA), achieved in the United States, which disallowed illegal sharing and downloading copyrighted music and videos.

There are protests and public repeal to the law, but so far there is little sign that the government is backing down.

What if this were happening in the United States?  Do you think this will permanently affect the Philippines?  Will the law lighten up?  Please leave your comments below!

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References:

Like something on Facebook, go directly to jail. – Yahoo News
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/something-facebook-directly…

Facebook’s “like” may land Filipinos in jail – CBS News
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/facebooks-like-may-land-filipinos-in-jail/

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