Reddit, Discord agree to set up PH office–Cybercrime agency

MANILA—Social media platforms Reddit and Discord have agreed to each set up a local office in the Philippines, the country’s cybercrime agency said on Wednesday.  

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Agency said the two tech firms have agreed to follow the agency’s order to have Philippine offices to facilitate coordination with authorities.

CICC Executive Director Renato Paraiso said Reddit and Discord made this commitment during a virtual meeting with the agency.

“Reddit and (Discord) agreed to setup their office here but it will take time. Meantime, company representatives or point person will be available anytime for faster coordination,” Paraiso said.

The Department of Communications and Information Technology also earlier said the two platforms have shown an effort to reach out to the government. The regulator insists that platforms operating in the country should have a presence here.

“We cannot have oversight until and unless they have presence in the Philippines, they are registered here. If they want to continue healthy relationship with PH, it’s incumbent upon them to help us regulate the community,” DICT Undersecretary, Atty. Leonido Pulido III told ANC.

He added that the DICT could assist in putting up an office, which can be done in as fast as two weeks.

The CICC earlier announced it was giving these tech platforms 24 hours to comply or be banned from the country. 

Advocacy network Digital Pinoys on Wednesday welcomed the announcement.  

“Platform accountability is not simply about imposing requirements on technology companies. It is also about creating practical mechanisms that allow government and platforms to work together when urgent concerns arise,” said Digital Pinoys campaigner Ronald Gustilo, who participated in the discussions. 

“Stronger cooperation does not have to mean weakening legitimate online freedoms,” he added.

The advocacy group stressed that the commitments must now translate into clear, transparent procedures and timely responses to protect Filipino users effectively.

Social media firms have been under intense scrutiny lately over claims that they have been used by violent groups who groomed Filipino schoolchildren into committing mass shootings.