Hogwarts Live BlogThe Philippines passed the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, a draconian law that makes SOPA and PIPA look reasonable.
It goes so far as to ban online-libel and is so vague as to what constitutes libel that a Like or Share of a Facebook comment critical of the government or police could be used to put you in jail.
I'm a dual citizen of the United States and the Philippines as well as a webmaster. Laws created to censor the Internet and curtail freedom of speech really upset me.
Please sign the petition against the Cybercrime Prevention Act, which threatens Internet freedom, the right to privacy and other essential civil liberties including freedom of speech, expression, and the press.
http://www.change.org/petitions/junk-the-cybercrime-prevention-law
The Philippines passed a law that's anti-privacy and Internet freedom
Responses 1 - 20 of 20 to "The Philippines passed a law that's anti-privacy and Internet freedom"
Well, its not as far as liking and commenting on something would put you in jail. It's basically the person who started posting would go to jail if it was deemed as libel or whatever.. Liking and commenting would be harmless.
Actually... as I heard it does include liking, sharing and commenting. Hell they say that act could ban any social networking sites that they SUSPECT can break this law.
Not exactly... As to libel, the penal laws of the Philippines already defines libel... its in the RPC... As to other provisions, admittedly, some are vague... needs further explanation as to what exactly it punishes... >.
Oh my gosh. Definitely signing! .-.
I take it signing only makes sense when you live there? They're not gonna listen to a bunch of foreigners.
I would sign, but will the website send us back something to our homes, as it /does/ ask for out home address. x.x
I sign petitions directed at other countries all the time. It helps to show lawmakers that not only their constituency but the entire world is enraged by their actions. I sign petitions concerning human rights violations perpetuated by foreign governments all the time.
Where's Anonymous when you need them?
Anonymous Philippines did attack some of the Gov't websites before it was signed. And it was confirmed that liking and commenting won't send you to jail. Only those who started a libelous posts and sharers and retweets too
The thing with libel is sometimes people believe the libel is fact. Especially if you're sharing or retweeting it you may think the originator is to be believed. Also, the originator of the libel may think it is true. In the US you can only get in trouble for libel if it can be proved that you knew the statement to be false. In other words it's very hard to charge someone with libel here.
signed
Actually, its easy to charge someone with libel. So long as there had been damage to one's person, reputation etc. regardless of whether or not it was true, he or she can be charged of libel. With Internet libel, what is hard is how to put the blame on the person who committed libel. And, while the #@%$!crime law punishes internet libel, it does not address the issue on how to ascertain those person/s who committed it.
Thank you so much Danilo~!!
I think this will be good!!
Signed. *We* need a lot more signatures.
IsobelHex is correct - once damage has be dealt to someone's character by the false published [written] statements, it is deemed libel. Only if it is proven false though. It is generally a reverse-onus crime where the defendants (person that made the statement) must prove his/her innocence by showing that their statement was true. All this being said, I highly doubt that that administration cares to give one the opportunity to prove their innocence.
Anon Philippines is working on it - it's taking some time. Unless they deal some harsher blows, it is probably not going to affect the government very much.
i guess P-noy wants this law to be implemented for the improvement of the country..why would P-noy implement such laws that will destroy his country..anyway, i think this law would help the Filipino people to discipline themselves..
Even though I found this post a year later than everyone else, I'm still glad I read it. Thanks for sharing and keeping us well informed. I think, like others seem to, that there should be proof if false accusations are made.
"Where's Anonymous when you need them?" - Anonymous is not your private army.
Consider it done. I believe the freedom of speech is a God given right.
Thank you for informing, I signed the petition and asked all my friends to do the same. :)