Platform Accountability for Disinformation, Data Protection Law, and Democracy in the Philippines

MAD & Open Net’s Capacity Building and Information Exchange Workshop on Data Privacy Protection

Time: May 21, 2024 (Friday), 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 
Venue: Manila Observatory, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, the Philippine

Program

Session 1: Using and leveraging data protection laws and regulations to mitigate the dissemination of harmful information through targeted advertising techniques. (a) Atty. Grace Salonga: Surveillance Capitalism and Targeted Advertising, An Overview (b) Prof. KS Park: Regulating Targeted Advertising and Collection of Behavioral Data  (c) Discussion:  – Moderator: Atty. Cristina Yambor – Discussant: Atty. Jamael Jacob and Ms. Gemma Mendoza Workshop 1 Break-out Session Session 2: Addressing the misuse of data protection laws and regulations for censorship purposes (a) Atty. Dana Batnag: Primer on Data Privacy Act (b) Prof. KS Park: Data Privacy Act as a Potential Tool of Censorship  (c) Discussion: – Moderator: Mr. John Nery – Discussant: Mr. Cong Corrales and Atty. Rada Cisnero Workshop 2 Break-out Session

Summary of the Workshop

This workshop was a comprehensive seminar-workshop designed to enhance the understanding and capabilities of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the realm of data privacy protection. This workshop aims to:

1. Enhance the understanding of CSOs regarding targeted advertising.
2. Examine potential legal measures using data protection laws and regulations that CSOs can undertake to stop and manage the spread of disinformation.
3. Enhance the understanding of CSOs of the potential misuse of data protection regulations.
4. Formulate a balanced framework that fosters the unfettered expression of ideas while safeguarding individual privacy rights.

All the speakers of the session 1 and 2 covered the topics like surveillance capitalism, targeted advertising, data protection laws, and the misuse of privacy laws for censorship. As a primary speaker of the whole session, Atty. Grace Salong overviewed this workshop’s aim and discussed surveillance capitalism and targeted advertising. Prof. KS Park delivered the concept of the Data Privacy Act and how tech companies collect user data to predict behavior and sell targeted ads over two presentations. Atty. Dana Batnag gave a primer on the Philippine Data Privacy Act. The main points discussed during the discussion were concerns about disinformation and manipulation of users through targeted content, the need for better data protection laws and enforcement, balancing privacy rights with freedom of information and speech, challenges in regulating global tech platforms, and education and civic engagement to combat disinformation. 

The workshop included breakout sessions for participants to discuss these issues further. All participants shared their personal experiences with targeted advertising and how to combat global tech platforms’ misuse of personal data. 

Around 100 ppl attended. More than a majority were women. 

Korean version text