Philippines gags internet with 'draconian' cyber crime law

Philippines gags internet with 'draconian' cyber crime law
03 October, 2012

The Philippines has approved measures to prosecute users that post “defamatory” comments on social media websites such as Twitter and Facebook. They will be liable for a fine of 1 million pesos (US$24,000) or face up to 12 years in prison.

Websites that publish the material may also be shut down.

The cyber-law has been branded as ‘draconian’ and a serious violation of freedom of speech by rights groups.

“The cyber crime law needs to be repealed or replaced,” said Brad Adams, Asia director of the Human Rights Watch. “It violates Filipinos’ rights to free expression and it is wholly incompatible with the Philippine government’s obligations under international law.”

He stressed that while the bill was in action it will have a “chilling effect over the entire Philippines online community.”

The new legislation extends Philippines libel law, which has been previously contested by Human Rights Watch, into cyberspace.

Aside from prosecuting users who post material deemed offensive, the bill grants authorities the power to collate and retain information from people’s Facebook and Twitter profiles, as well as eavesdropping on conversations over Skype.

“Anybody using popular social networks or who publishes online is now at risk of a long prison term should a reader – including government officials – bring a libel charge,” Adams said. “Allegedly libelous speech, online or off-line, should be handled as a private civil matter, not as a crime.”

read on: http://rt.com/news/philippines-internet-gag-law-545/

Love Always
mudra

Cyber Martial Law in the Philippines

Tens of millions of internet users in the Philippines woke up Wednesday to a new reality: Sharing a link, clicking ‘Like’ on Facebook, or retweeting a message could land you 12 years in jail.¹

http://rt.com/news/philippines-internet-gag-law-545/

The Cybercrime Prevention Act, which just came into effect, is so broad and loophole-ridden that a wide range of online activity could be considered libelous. Even if you don’t write the material, just sharing it with someone online could land you in prison.

In the face of this unjust law, Filipinos have been protesting in the streets and online to stand up for their rights. An alliance of organizations, bloggers, media, and everyday citizens have come together and brought international attention to their cause, and have reached a tipping point.²

That’s why they have come to us for help. With elections just around the corner, we’ve been told that many politicians are downright scared of a national and international backlash, giving us the opportunity to convince them to junk this law for good. And we know there’s nothing like an election to get politicians to listen.

Click the link below to call on lawmakers to stand up for freedom of expression, and repeal the CyberCrime Prevention Act. We’ll deliver your signatures to Filipino lawmakers next week so they know where the world stands.

https://www.accessnow.org/stop-cyber-martial-law

Alarmingly, an accused citizen can’t even use intent or good faith as a defense against this horrible law — meaning that the government has unrestricted and unchecked power to throw whomever they like in jail. Not to mention, the
law allows real-time data to be tracked, violating the privacy of internet users.

read on: http://www.globalresearch.ca/cyber-martial-law-in-the-philippines/

Love Always
mudra