Over 83k child abuse links blocked

Telecommunications provider PLDT and its mobile arm Smart Communications blocked more than 83,000 attempts to access online child abuse materials in January as part of efforts to protect children in the digital space.

In a statement Thursday, company first vice president Roby Alampay said the crackdown was made possible by the firm’s tools that detect and block Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEMs).

“As technology enablers, PLDT and Smart recognize their role in providing a safe digital space that allows children to grow and pursue their passions,” Alampay said.

The blocked materials included blacklisted URLs, images and other forms of illicit online content involving children.

According to Alampay, the company’s system targets specific digital fingerprints of illegal content rather than shutting down entire websites.

“Unlike traditional filters that block entire websites, the system intercepts illicit material at the specific URL or digital ‘hash’ level, redirecting users to a warning page without disrupting legitimate content,” he explained.

PLDT-Smart said its campaign against online child abuse is strengthened through partnerships with global organizations such as the Internet Watch Foundation and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection through its Project Arachnid program. These groups provide updated intelligence and automated detection tools to help identify and block hidden CSAEMs across platforms.

Alampay also cited the Council for the Welfare of Children’s MAKABATA helpline 1383, which operates in partnership with the company’s corporate arm PLDT Enterprise.

“In 2024 alone, the helpline received over a thousand reports involving sexual, physical, and psychological abuse, as well as custody concerns, enabling swift coordination with government agencies and local authorities,” he said.

PLDT Enterprise also partnered last year with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Bureau of Fire Protection to roll out the “Unified 911” system, a cloud-based emergency response platform connecting police, fire, medical and rescue services nationwide.

The system runs on the Pilipinas cloud of ePLDT and features voice, digital and video reporting, GPS-based location tracking, geo-fencing and CCTV integration.

“But we go beyond technology in protecting children. We work with parents, schools, communities, and government to raise awareness on OSAEC and collaborate with partners who champion children’s rights and safety,” Alampay said.

Meanwhile, the National Coordination Center Against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials recently launched a three-year strategic roadmap to strengthen protection for Filipino children in the digital environment.

The plan, approved by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in September, focuses on prevention and advocacy, protection and response, law enforcement and prosecution, and stronger partnerships with local and international stakeholders.