Congress to probe spike of fake Facebook accounts

Thursday, June 11, 2020

MANILA – The House of Representatives and the Senate are set to conduct separate inquiry into the sudden spike in bogus accounts on social media platform Facebook.
Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon filed House Resolution 968 seeking to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation into the proliferation of the clone Facebook accounts, which opens up its users to “a slew of exploitations” like online bullying, harassment, identity theft, violations of privacy and others.
He said the government must create a joint task force composed of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, the National Privacy Commission, and other related agencies to look on the matter.
“The new normal would increase reliance in social media platforms…and it is therefore incumbent upon the government to ensure the safety of its users through the protection of their private data,” added Biazon, the senior vice chair of the House committee on national defense.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, for his part, filed Senate Resolution No. 444, directing an appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry into the proliferation of the fake profiles.
Pangilinan said the inquiry will help determine the possible regulation of social media platforms “in accordance with the policy that respects the rights and freedoms of all Filipinos guaranteed by the Constitution.”
“There is a need to look into our existing laws to increase the extent of liability and possible regulation of service providers or content hosts such as Facebook and other social media platforms,” Pangilinan said.
Various universities around the country confirmed over the weekend that they received reports of fake and empty Facebook accounts bearing the names of their respective students and alumni.
Among those who complained to have fraudulent Facebook account were those who opposed the Anti-Terrorism Bill, which is now up for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature./PN