DICT eyes regulating social media apps like TikTok

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) expressed openness to regulating social media platforms like TikTok and other applications potentially used for illegal activities.

At a public briefing for the National Cybersecurity Plan 2023-2028, DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy stated that regulation should precede any potential bans on apps such as TikTok, emphasizing the need to monitor all social media apps and sites, including online shopping platforms and messaging apps.

Dy highlighted concerns about messaging app Telegram being utilized for illegal activities and noted the failure of the SIM Card Registration Act in curbing scam and spam text messages.

He stressed that regulation is necessary if appeals are ineffective, with banning being a possible next step if platforms do not comply, but clarified that this would cover all apps, not just TikTok.

House Bill 10489, filed by Deputy Majority Leader Bienvenido Abante, aims to prohibit app stores from enabling distribution of 'foreign adversary-controlled' applications like TikTok, citing ByteDance's ties to the Chinese Communist Party as a concern.