Metro Manila, Philippines – The government has been in talks with Meta for more than a year over online safety measures, but the tech giant has yet to sign a proposed agreement containing protocols sought by the government, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda said Thursday, Sept. 24.
Aguda said the government has sent two letters to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and reached out to the company’s Asia-Pacific leadership in Singapore as it seeks stronger safeguards for Filipino users, particularly children.
“Si Meta — bago pa si Roblox, Discord, Reddit, mahigit isang taon na rin natin silang kinakausap,” Aguda said.
[Translation: Meta — even before Roblox, Discord, and Reddit, we have already been talking to them for more than a year.]
Aguda said the government has also prepared a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) containing the safety protocols it wants Meta to implement.
“Meron na po kaming draft MOU kung saan nandoon lahat yung safety protocols na nire-request at dine-demand natin. Nag-agree po sila doon pero ngayon gusto kong sabihin sa publiko, yung draft na yun hindi pa rin nila pinipirmahan,” he said.
[Translation: We already have a draft MOU containing all the safety protocols that we are requesting and demanding. They agreed to it, but now I want to tell the public that they still have not signed the draft.]
Aguda said the government has also sought assistance from the United States through the Philippine embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs to help facilitate discussions with Zuckerberg.
He acknowledged that some may question the direct government appeal to Zuckerberg, but said the Meta chief’s involvement is important in addressing issues that require decisions at the company’s highest level.
Aguda added that the government could eventually consider legal action if negotiations fail, citing cases filed against Meta in other jurisdictions over alleged harm involving children.
“Tayo naman, kung ayaw makipag-usap, eh baka sa korte na lang tayo mag-usap para korte na magsabi kung meron ba kayong pananagutan sa mga gumagamit ng Facebook, sa mga kabataang naaadik, mga kabataang naging biktima,” he said.
[Translation: For us, if they do not want to talk, perhaps we will just talk in court so that the court can determine whether you have liability for Facebook users, children who became addicted, and children who became victims.]
Aguda said he remains hopeful that Meta will eventually respond to the government’s concerns.
“So far, hindi pa rin ako nawawalan ng pag-asa na si Mr. Mark Zuckerberg naman ay mauunawaan niya ang pinagdadaanan ng bansa,” Aguda said.
[Translation: So far, I have not lost hope that Mr. Mark Zuckerberg will understand what the country is going through.]
He acknowledged that the issue with Meta remains difficult, saying the government is weighing its next steps after more than a year of discussions.
“Ang hirap magbigay ng ultimatum,” Aguda said.
[Translation: It is difficult to give an ultimatum.]
