Philippines ISPs Ordered to Install Filters

MANILA — The Philippines government today said it will require Internet service providers to install filters to block access to child pornography.

ISPs will have until June to install the filters or risk heavy fines, government regulators said.

With a move to order mandatory filtering, the Philippines government is implementing a five-year-old law on the books — Republic Act No. 9775 — that lists the production, distribution or possession of child pornography as a criminal act.

The law is far-reaching and requires IT professionals, credit card companies and Internet cafe owners, among others, liable to report to authorities incidences of suspected child porn materials or transactions involving those under 18.

Those who flout reporting incidences of CP to authorities can face fines of up to $22,400 on a first offense, and double that on a second offense including revocations  of business permits.

Republic Act No. 9775 required years of public input on how to implement it, according to Edgardo Cabarrios, a spokesman for the National Telecommunications Commission.

"There were experts [at the consultations] who were one in saying this will help. It may not eradicate [online child porn] completely but this will help," he told Agence France-Presse.

In the U.K., where filters have been imposed on Britain's big four ISPs over the past year, results have proved controversial and somewhat ineffective. In fact, some institutional and educational websites, providing users with useful information on sensitive subjects, have been blocked while other sexually explicit sites have been filtered out.

In the Philippines, Cabarrios acknowledged that filtering out all child porn was almost impossible but they could keep out the majority. "We all know that websites are easily created so [filtering them] is a moving target," he said.

View Republic Act No. 9775 of 2009

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Adult Industry Educational, Networking Platform 'Imperfectly You' Launches

Imperfectly You, an educational and networking platform for adult industry workers, has officially launched.

Segpay to Launch News Network for High-Risk Merchants

Segpay has announced that it will launch the Segpay News Network (SNN) on April 15.

Age Verification Watch: Patching the Holes

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Pineapple Support to Host Autism Spectrum Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group for performers and creators who are, or suspect they may be, on the autism spectrum.

ImLive Launches Revamped Member Loyalty Program

Cam platform ImLive has revamped its member loyalty program.

GoFundMe Set Up for Danny Ferretti's Medical Expenses

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Fangear founder Danny Ferretti, who requires extensive lung surgery.

Byborg Acquires Cuties AI

Byborg Enterprises has acquired adult artificial intelligence startup Cuties AI.

Irish Government Releases Report on Sex Work Decriminalization Legislation

The Irish government has released a report reviewing a 2017 law that decriminalized sex work across the country.

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

New York Assemblyman Proposes Banning the Term 'Sex Work'

Republican New York Assembly Member Brian Maher has introduced a bill to prohibit the use of the term "sex work" in government documents.

Show More