Don’t fear cybercrime law, says DoJ

There is nothing to fear with Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, especially with the Department of Justice’s power to block and restrict access to a website, Justice Undersecretary Geronimo Sy, head of the DoJ Cybercrime Office, says. Video by INQUIRER.net’s Ryan Leagogo

MANILA, Philippines—There is nothing to fear with Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, especially with the Department of Justice’s power to block and restrict access to a website, Justice Undersecretary Geronimo Sy, head of the DoJ Cybercrime Office said Tuesday.

He said there is nothing to fear about the DoJ’s power to block websites, which he said some sectors erroneously call it “takedown provisions.”

“Taking down data is different from restricting or blocking,” Sy said during his lecture at the Cybercrime Forum attended by various internet usergroups, bloggers, netizens.

Examples that can be blocked are cybersex dens, terrorism, video on how to make bombs and the likes, Sy pointed out.

Sy added that when a website has been blocked, there is also a process of appeal.

“There is also a process of appeal so we can check our own authority,” Sy said.

“We have good intentions in a lot of things that we do…we need you to watch us,” Sy said.