CICC demands Reddit and Discord establish local presence in 24 hours following school violence
Philippines' CICC gives Reddit and Discord 24 hours to appoint local representatives or face potential access restrictions over online safety concerns.
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| Discord and Reddit must respond within 24 hours |
Is a 24-hour window realistic?
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has issued an emergency 24-hour deadline to US-based social platforms Reddit and Discord, requiring them to establish a designated resident agent or local representative in the Philippines.
The government body has warned that failure to comply could result in restrictions on their operations or even outright access blocks for users in the Philippines.
This initiative follows a series of violent incidents, including a shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato on September 18, marking the country's third shooting incident since June 2026. Investigators have found that online communities on these platforms are increasingly being exploited for youth grooming, radicalization, and the dissemination of violent extremist content.
According to CICC Executive Director Renato Paraiso, the government wants direct communication channels to address digital safety concerns affecting minors.
In addition to appointing a resident agent in the country, the CICC has instructed both platforms to submit formal written plans within the same timeframe. These plans should detail measures for Age Verification and Assurance, Rapid Response Systems, and Child Exploitation Safeguards.
To support enforcement, the CICC has requested assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to organize multi-platform coordination meetings. These discussions will involve tech companies such as Meta, Roblox, Discord, and Reddit to establish strict and standardized protocols for user safety in the region.
If Reddit and Discord do not meet the 24-hour deadline, the CICC stated that it will collaborate with relevant government agencies, including the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), to implement operational restrictions or block access to these services nationwide.
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