ABS-CBN News, ANC 24/7 back on YouTube after ‘hacking incident’

MANILA, Philippines — A “hacking incident” apparently led to the “termination” of the ABS-CBN News and ANC 24/7 channels on YouTube on Tuesday morning.

ABS-CBN said two news channels were restored hours after they were “terminated” due to supposed violation of YouTube’s terms and service. The media giant, however, did not disclose further details regarding the hacking incident.

“The two news channels were temporarily suspended beginning 6:30 am this morning after a hacking incident. The investigation on the incident continues as we also implement measures to prevent this from happening again,” ABS-CBN said in a statement.

On Tuesday morning, netizens questioned the shutdown and sought an explanation from YouTube.

“We rely on ABS-CBN News on Youtube and other social media sites for weather reports, especially now that another Typhoon is approaching And now they turned down the account. Okay, Filipinos, we are on our own now. Keep safe and let’s double our efforts to be informed in everything,” one netizen said.

“YouTube should explain why ABS-CBN has been taken down. What was the violation as indicated in the page?” another netizen said.

In July, 70 lawmakers in the House of Representatives’ legislative franchises committee voted against granting ABS-CBN a new franchise.

The network has been off the air since early May after its television and radio operations nationwide were ordered shut following the expiration of its 25-year franchise.

JE