A partnership between the Department of Information and Communications Technology and Google Philippines is expected to boost digital literacy campaigns and content moderation to combat fake news, as they have agreed to coordinate for stronger online safeguards, smarter artificial intelligence tools, and digital empowerment nationwide.
“This is a teamwork for truth. Together, we’re building stronger defenses against disinformation and giving every Filipino the tools to thrive in the digital world,” DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda said in a joint statement with Yves Gonzalez, head of Google Philippines public policy and government relations.
Under the partnership, Google will strengthen detection of AI-powered content, enhance human moderation, and tighten the enforcement of YouTube community guidelines. A rapid-response channel flagging harmful and illegal online content will be launched by the DICT Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.
“This partnership reflects a strong model of responsible digital governance and private-sector accountability – a necessary foundation in building a safe, trusted, and inclusive digital Philippines,” their joint statement read.
It also kicked off DigiBayanihan 2.0, a grassroots literacy campaign supported by Google Philippines and led by the Asia Society of Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation, which will teach practical digital skills to communities in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Digital literacy and combating fake news remain important components in any modern society, especially those that are under constant attack from actors and interests that stand to benefit when fake news and misinformation are allowed to proliferate and influence important decisions such as elections, along with programs and policies being pushed by government. The cooperation of the public and private sector will be critical in this effort, and hopefully, the partnership between the DICT and Google Philippines is just the start of many more.*
