Summary:
In July 2017, GMA News reported that a number of secret Philippine Facebook groups that had been engaging in the illegal activity of sharing obscene photos of women. The National Bureau of Investigation of the country warned members of such groups they could be liable for violating child pornography and anti-voyeurism laws.
Allegations:
- One of the many victims of the secret Facebook groups sharing lewd photos of women detailed the harassment she had received online. The victim said she had been receiving friend requests from strangers and inappropriate messages through her social media accounts. She later discovered that her photos had been shared in one of these Facebook groups.
- Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros demanded that the members of these secret groups be penalised with up to P500,000 (Philippine peso) and sentenced up to 10 years in prison.
Defence:
- Facebook planned to take immediate action as the groups' "nudity and sexual exploitation" activities violated the social network's community standards.