I was eating breakfast when I heard on the radio about a certain cybercrime bill that the government is about to approve. I said to myself, "Wow, it's a lot better than RH bill", since right now cyberbullies and other forms of computer misuse exists. Then a few days after, I've encountered some posts in my Facebook news feed about liking or retweeting a post can have you charged for libel. I disregarded these until last Monday, when I heard that RA 10175, Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, is about to be implemented on Wednesday, October 3. So it was that bill I heard last week with the news on banning liking and retweeting.
Last Tuesday, while I was browsing my Facebook groups, a friend of mine posted something about an online rally against the Cybercrime act. That pushed me to read its full text since a lot were already sharing "No to Cybercrime Law" and other anti posts. I don't want to make a stand without analyzing what this act is really about. As I was reading, I really knew something was wrong with this.
Photo courtesy of Philippine Internet Freedom Alliance
RA 10175 contains the usual cybercrimes we are to encounter at present. Punishable offenses include illegal access, gadget misuse, hacking and identity theft. There were also content-related offenses like cybersex, child pornography and libel. If you are found guilty, you can be punished with prision mayor or fined at least Php 200,000.00.
Now what is it that the people are ranting about? It is the libel clause. There is no doubt that this act is to protect the public as well as the corporate industries from cyber attacks. But to suppress one's freedom of expression, it is a different story. One cannot simply comment regarding a national issue since he's afraid to be charged guilty of libel. For example, a congressman will run on the upcoming elections, as well as his son. Many whereabouts will arise from the public and these whereabouts will be released in their blogs; an online journal. Now, if this act is to be implemented, whoever writes against an issue is charged of libel.
But what they are tampering is public opinion. We are all entitled to speak our minds. Who knows if our understanding of the matter can be beneficial to the ones involved? Sometimes listening to others can make us grow and create better decisions. If speaking one's mind is a crime, how come we call this government democratic?
Another is the clause on cybersex. Have the authors considered that if a couple decided to do "it" with full consent due to their longing for each other, will that still be considered a crime? To what elaborate means does this clause pertain to? Maybe they should go after those who engage in cybersex with compensation; that is already considered prostitution.
There is nothing wrong with what the act is trying to do. Banish cybercrimes. We all want that. But to our legislators, please consider revising this law. What you stated here is only a side of the coin. Before you pass this, please think of what the consequences may be. Please look on all areas of concern before creating a law that might affect millions of people.
I hope the legislators who created this bill will hear our pleas. But as for now, I make my stand to not pass this until amendments are made. Remember that what you are trying to get into is social media. With just a blink, everything may change.
Think before you act. Think before you click. Think before you sign.
Last Tuesday, while I was browsing my Facebook groups, a friend of mine posted something about an online rally against the Cybercrime act. That pushed me to read its full text since a lot were already sharing "No to Cybercrime Law" and other anti posts. I don't want to make a stand without analyzing what this act is really about. As I was reading, I really knew something was wrong with this.
Photo courtesy of Philippine Internet Freedom Alliance
RA 10175 contains the usual cybercrimes we are to encounter at present. Punishable offenses include illegal access, gadget misuse, hacking and identity theft. There were also content-related offenses like cybersex, child pornography and libel. If you are found guilty, you can be punished with prision mayor or fined at least Php 200,000.00.
Now what is it that the people are ranting about? It is the libel clause. There is no doubt that this act is to protect the public as well as the corporate industries from cyber attacks. But to suppress one's freedom of expression, it is a different story. One cannot simply comment regarding a national issue since he's afraid to be charged guilty of libel. For example, a congressman will run on the upcoming elections, as well as his son. Many whereabouts will arise from the public and these whereabouts will be released in their blogs; an online journal. Now, if this act is to be implemented, whoever writes against an issue is charged of libel.
But what they are tampering is public opinion. We are all entitled to speak our minds. Who knows if our understanding of the matter can be beneficial to the ones involved? Sometimes listening to others can make us grow and create better decisions. If speaking one's mind is a crime, how come we call this government democratic?
Another is the clause on cybersex. Have the authors considered that if a couple decided to do "it" with full consent due to their longing for each other, will that still be considered a crime? To what elaborate means does this clause pertain to? Maybe they should go after those who engage in cybersex with compensation; that is already considered prostitution.
There is nothing wrong with what the act is trying to do. Banish cybercrimes. We all want that. But to our legislators, please consider revising this law. What you stated here is only a side of the coin. Before you pass this, please think of what the consequences may be. Please look on all areas of concern before creating a law that might affect millions of people.
I hope the legislators who created this bill will hear our pleas. But as for now, I make my stand to not pass this until amendments are made. Remember that what you are trying to get into is social media. With just a blink, everything may change.
Think before you act. Think before you click. Think before you sign.
When I first heard about the bill my first reaction was, "Ano bang problema nila sa Cyber Crime Law?" I felt like people was just contradicting every law being passed just like the RH Bill. So I researched about it and found out why people were against it. It would be awful if they really implement this law without revising it.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from teentalk btw :)