Philippines: Introduced Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Regulation Act (HB No. 10489)

On 23 May 2024, the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Regulation Act (HB No. 10489) was introduced in the House of Representatives of the Philippines. The Act would prohibit the operation of foreign adversary-controlled applications within the Philippines, targeting entities that distribute, maintain, or update such applications through app stores or internet hosting services. Companies fall under the Act if they permit users to create an account to share and view text, images and videos that have more than 1'000'000 active monthly users and that enable one or more users to generate, distribute or view content by other users. Controlled by a foreign adversary is defined in the Act as a company or entity that is domiciled in, has its headquarters in, has its principal place of business in, or is organised under the laws of a foreign adversary country, or that is owned directly or indirectly by 20% by a foreign person. Penalties for violations include imprisonment from six to twelve years and fines ranging from PHP 5'000'000 to PHP 10'000'000.