Philippines' Duterte blocks bill to register social media users

Filipinos rank among the world's heaviest users of social media. - Reuters

MANILA, April 16, 2022 (AFP): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has rejected a proposed law requiring social media users to register their real names and phone numbers, citing threats to free speech and privacy, his spokesman has announced.

The legislation, designed to combat fake news, online abuse, text scams and militant bombings, also required mobile phone users to provide their personal details when buying SIM cards.