Comelec asks: Repeal of rules on artificial intelligence and social media

A poll watchdog has called for the repeal of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) guidelines on artificial intelligence (AI) and social media as “censorship under the guise of combating fake news.”

In a statement Thursday, Kontra Daya said that while the Comelec’s intentions appear to be good, the definitions of fake news and other related terms in the guidelines “are so broad that they may include fair comments protected by freedom of expression, such as free speech and critical expressions.” analysis, satire and parody.”

The group cited the September 17 Comelec Resolution No. 1 on the use of social media, artificial intelligence, and internet technology for the 2025 national and local elections and parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). He was referring to 11064.

for misdirection purposes

The ruling defined fake news as “an everyday, collective, and widespread term used to refer to misinformation, bad information, or disinformation that is deliberately presented as legitimate news by ordinary Filipinos and spread through digital platforms, traditional media, or other communication channels.” deceive, mislead or manipulate public opinion or voter behavior.”

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Kontra Daya said that relevant media and press freedom advocates should oppose this decision, as the Senate and the House of Representatives rejected the bills to regulate the fake news in question.

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Can be weaponized

“Given the broad definition of terrorism, there is a reason why the Comelec resolution has been weaponized to censor media content that speaks truth to power, just as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 has been used to thwart legitimate dissent.” the group said.

Kontra Daya convener and University of the Philippines journalism professor Danilo Arao warned that the Comelec decision could be directed against government critics.

“We already have cases in the past where posts critical of the government have resulted in lawsuits and imprisonment due to government officials using laws such as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012,” he said.

Arao said that instead of regulating, the Comelec should “focus on educating our citizens so they can discern what is reliable news and what is not, as well as how to use artificial intelligence and other technologies responsibly.”

“If it is serious about combating misinformation and disinformation, the Comelec’s voter education program must include media literacy, especially fact checking,” he added.

The Comelec guidelines also prohibit and penalize the misuse of social media, artificial intelligence, and internet technology for disinformation and misinformation in connection with the 2025 national and local elections.

Long list of crimes

The Comelec has issued a wide-ranging list of election crimes, including the use of “fake amplifiers” such as fake accounts, bots, and astroturf groups filled with fake users to spread disinformation and misinformation while supporting or campaigning against a candidate or a political party. , coalition or party-list organizations.

The dissemination of disinformation and misinformation targeting the Philippine electoral system, the Comelec, and electoral processes during the election and campaign period are also election crimes.

Others include the use of coordinated, inauthentic behavior and hyperactive users; the creation and dissemination of deepfakes, cheap fakes and soft fakes; use of fake and unregistered social media accounts during the election and campaign period; the creation and dissemination of fake news; and the use of content generated through AI technology without complying with the transparency and disclosure requirements under the guidelines.

The election offense is punishable by up to six years in prison, permanent disqualification from holding any public office, and deprivation of the right to vote.

‘KKK’

The poll body has formed a new enforcement group called Task Force sa Katotohanan, Katapatan in Qatarungan (KKK) sa Halalan. It will investigate detected or reported prohibited acts and file complaints against candidates, parties, individuals and organizations suspected of wrongdoing.

Their duties include debunking fake news against the Philippine electoral system, Comelec or election processes.

In addition to preventing the use of cyberspace to commit election violations, the Comelec also mandated the registration of all official social media accounts and other online and internet-based campaign platforms used by candidates and political parties, as well as newly created ones for the upcoming midterm elections.

December 13 deadline

Social media accounts and other online platforms will need to be registered with the Comelec Department of Education and Information by Dec. 13.

Any person or entity, other than a candidate or political party, who creates or manages social media accounts and pages, websites, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, and other online and internet-based campaign platforms designed or used primarily for the purpose of soliciting votes during an election period and content that promotes the election or defeat of a particular candidate or candidates must also be recorded.

It is unclear whether private individuals with existing social media accounts, who number in the millions in the Philippines and who would support certain candidates or call for the rejection of others, would also be required to register.

‘Excessively broad scope’

There are 86.75 million Facebook users in the Philippines, 10.77 million have X accounts and 21.35 million are Instagram users.

There are more than 18,000 elective offices for which more than 43,000 candidates will run in the May 2025 elections.

TO READ: Socmed account registrations for the 2025 elections end on December 13

The Makabayan coalition wrote to Comelec Chairman George Garcia on Oct. 30 asking for a dialogue about its concerns about the “overly broad scope of the rules,” particularly the mandatory registration of social media accounts and platforms and its “impacts on freedom of expression and privacy.” record.”

The group said the same concerns were voiced by social media users who fear their accounts and websites could be shut down or blocked and that they too could be the target of disinformation and misinformation.

A way to control spending

In an Oct. 12 news forum, Garcia said that in addition to monitoring fake news, one purpose of registering social media accounts and online platforms is to help the pollster control campaign spending.

He said large sums were paid to social media influencers and content creators during the campaign, so the Comelec will also coordinate with the Bureau of Internal Revenue to monitor such expenditures.

In an interview with reporters last week, Garcia said registering social media accounts is also important to combat foreign interference, which remains a “threat” to the country’s elections. —WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH INQ