This law will take effect in my country in less than thirty minutes. Everything we say and do online will and can be used against us.
Any site that serves ads (falling under Unsolicited Commercial Communications.) can be blocked whenever someone complains. Someone doesn’t like sponsored ads on Facebook? The government will be forced, by law, to block or take it down, without even waiting for court (prima facie). Someone doesn’t like Tumblr’s Radar? Down it goes.
I wish to raise awareness for this issue, because it is unconstitutional, and seriously, it’s like they took freedom of speech online and threw it away. There are men and women who have died fighting for that right, and who are still fighting for it right now.
The law itself has some good points, but the implications on people’s rights far outweigh the problems that it is meant to solve. It needs to be modified and carefully scrutinized, but - it takes effect at midnight, and who knows what the government might be up to before this cybercrime law can be made, you know, lawful?
Links:
Digital Martial Law: 10 scary things about the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012
The Philippines Passes a Cybercrime Prevention Act that Makes SOPA Look Reasonable
Philippines: New ‘Cybercrime’ Law Will Harm Free Speech
(via surfacage)
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