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The New Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation (OSAEC) Law is Signed! Here’s What We Know

by Kevyn Gohu
August 3, 2022

Here’s what we know about the new Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation (OSAEC) Law.

The Internet will always have predators on the prowl. But there’s only so much we parents can do to protect our kids from hostiles. Usually, we don’t know what kind of punishment awaits those predators. But with Senator Risa Hontiveros signing in the new Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation (OSAEC) Law, all the more we can protect our kids from those horrible people.

What is the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation (OSAEC) Law for?

While the Philippines did have one established as Senate Bill 2209, unfortunately, its amendment was only one step away from being signed into law. Known as Senate Bill 2068, Senator Risa Hontiveros pushed for this bill to amend other two existing laws: the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 and the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009. The fight even dated far back as 2021 with the demand for prioritization showing up in 2022.

These horrifying photos tell us what we already knew: that an Anti-Online Sexual Abuse & Exploitation of Children law is absolutely and urgently needed.

I call on the executive to sign the Anti-OSAEC law now. Our children need the full power & protection of this measure. pic.twitter.com/nnZ8rZEcQP
— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) July 14, 2022

What’s new about the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation (OSAEC) Law?

Some additions to the law include placing more accountability on internet service providers (ISPs), social media, parents, and even banks in fighting Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation (OSAEC).

Any ISP found collaborating and hiding evidence of Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation (OSAEC) may find themselves paying a penalty. Especially if they do so, willingly. They will have to pay a fine within PHP 2,000,000 to PHP 5,000,000 for the first offense. A second offense and any succeeding ones can go as high as PHP 10,000,000.00.
Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation (OSAEC) is also punishable under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. This means that people paying or even handling the transaction for Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation (OSAEC) may find themselves accountable for the act because they should have reported it right away.
Those who financially benefit from Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation (OSAEC) may find themselves accountable as well
There’s an increase in punishment. The Cybercrime Act is currently pushing at PHP 500,000.00 and/or jail time as a penalty. However, this law pushes it one degree up. This means the penalty will be a lot more than PHP 500,000.00.
Parents will have a penalty, too, if they knowingly involve their kids with someone who’s about to commit Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation (OSAEC).
The law requires social media companies like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and other platforms to take down any content that reflects Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation (OSAEC). They need to submit it as evidence to the proper authorities within 24 to 48 hours. There is also a punishment awaiting them if they don’t follow.

Knowing the law can help us further protect our kids from these predators.

With technology and strategies evolving, it gets harder to protect young netizens like kids and teens. It’s easy to change one’s voice and response especially if it’s just via chat. But that’s why we have rules for netizens and keep an open line for internet behavior. May we hope to never invoke this law. But if push comes to shove, at least now we can make sure our kids get justice.