TWG created for bill prohibiting fake, malicious identity on social media

MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on public information on Wednesday created a technical working group (TWG) for a bill that seeks to prohibit the creation of accounts on social media using another person’s identity.

During the committee’s hearing, Zamboanga City Rep. Cesar Jimenez Jr. moved for a TWG to be created for House Bill No. 361 or “An Act Prohibiting Fake, Malicious and Spurious Identity on Social Media” filed by Tarlac Rep. Victor Yap.

The committee adopted the motion.

Under the bill, a social media user is prohibited “from opening an account for his or her online presence using someone else’s identity and presenting himself or herself to the online world as that person whom he or she is not.”

The bill states that social media networks must effectively verify those applying for accounts in order to ensure the authenticity of an account.

Further, accounts that will be discovered as inauthentic will be shut down.

The TWG will hold meetings to have a final version of the bill subject to the committee’s approval.