As part of measures to curb the growing number of incidents inside schools that are being linked to these platforms by authorities.
In their respective statements, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and National Privacy Commission (NPC) have begub cracking down on a number of social networking platforms.
CICC’S 24-HOUR ULTIMATUM
Foremost, the CICC gave Reddit and Discord 24 hours to set up their respective offices in the Philippines.
According to the agency, it issued both platforms separate demand letters dated September 21, 2026, where they instructed them to immediately designate, from receipt of the letters, a resident agent or local representative who can facilitate Philippine jurisdiction and enhance coordination and cooperation with Philippine authorities.
Aside from designating local representatives, the CICC also directed Reddit and Discord to submit written explanations of their existing arrangements and concrete implementation plans covering the enhancement of safety standards, rapid response mechanisms, and age-verification or age-assurance measures.
The CICC has also warned of blockage of the the platforms in the Philippines, should they fail or refuse to comply.
“We are not asking platforms to police the internet for the government but to be reachable, accountable, and responsive when activities on their platforms put Filipino children and communities at risk,” said Undersecretary Aboy Paraiso in a statement.
“When an online threat spills over into the real world, there has to be clear channel for authorities to act,” he furthered.
The move is part of the move to strengthen coordination with digital platforms after the third school shooting incident in the country, which occurred at Banga National High School in South Cotabato on September 18.
The CICC cited concerns over the use of online platforms in the dissemination of violent extremist content and ideologies and the exploitation of minors.
Moreover, it also sought the platforms’ participation in a cooperative framework to address the current situation of digital exploitation of minors, with the proposed framework covering networks involved in the creation, solicitation, possession, distribution, exchange, promotion or monetization of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) and child sexual abuse or exploitation of materials (CSAEM), and nihilistic violence extremism (NVE) that occur in these platforms.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has also been tapped to coordinate a meeting with Discord, Reddit, as well as Facebook’s parent Meta and other social media platforms to discuss measures to address online threats.
However, the government recently met with representatives from Meta and Roblox to form a technical working group to implement stricter child safety measures, faster takedowns of content, and secure age-verification mechanisms.
NPC’S SHOW CAUSE ORDERS
Meanwhile, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) announced the issuance of Show Cause Orders to Meta, Roblox, Reddit, and Discord.
According to the agency, it is in relation to their non-compliance with applicable registration requirements under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA) and NPC Circular 2022-04.
“The issuance of the Show Cause Orders forms part of the NPC’s continuing exercise of its mandate to administer and enforce the DPA, its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and relevant issuances,” it explained.
The NPC also noted that it is intensifying its compliance monitoring and investigation of digital platforms whose services involve the processing of personal data of individuals in the Philippines.
In addition, it also called on digital platforms, government agencies, parents, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to “work together in promoting digital environments that respect privacy, protect personal data, and empower young people to exercise their rights.”
