The Department of Information and Communications Technology expressed frustration with YouTube for not directly engaging with efforts to remove harmful content and fake news from its platform.
Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda voiced his concerns during the Digital Bayanihan Safety Summit in Manila. He noted that the government must work through Google as an intermediary rather than dealing directly with YouTube.
Aguda highlighted delays in content removal. He cited an example of an earthquake in the south where disinformation could spread quickly before action is taken. Joint notices from the DICT and the Presidential Communications Office often take too long to process, he said.
In comparison, Aguda praised TikTok’s system. Its artificial intelligence automatically handles 98 percent of harmful content cases. The DICT has also recommended a minimum age of 16 for social media access in the Philippines.