Metro Manila, Philippines – Efforts to crack down on online child safety will be reinforced in a soon-to-be-enacted bill, in particular against online grooming to offenses involving artificial intelligence.
The proposed Batang Ligtas Act, ratified by Congress, aims to address online sexual abuse and exploitation of children and nihilistic violent extremism.
“Expanded po ang coverage nito, hindi lamang online sexual abuse or exploitation of children, kasama na rin po ang online recruitment, grooming, inducement of children to commit violent acts, as well as abuses involving artificial intelligence,” Justice Assistant Secretary Michelle Anne Lapuz said in a press briefing on Thursday, Oct. 8.
[Translation: The measure’s coverage is expanded, in a sense that it will not only cover online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, but also online recruitment, grooming, inducement of children to commit violent acts, as well as abuses involving artificial intelligence.]
She said the provisions include direct responsibility of tech platforms and financial tech companies insofar as mandating them to implement age assurance and age verification protocols.
Lapuz said the measure will also mandate tech platforms to establish local legal representatives as part of an accountability mechanism.
