Expat Vlogger Panic in the Philippines
Vloggers in the Philippines are in panic mode, making much to do about nothing, over a highly misunderstood law that has existed since 2012. It is the update revision that is driving expat vlogger panic in the Philippines.
PHILIPPINESNEWS
1/28/20261 min read
I believe that most of the vlogger panic in the Philippines is unwarranted, expat and Filipino alike, and is based upon a general misunderstanding of the new updated Circular to the already existing Right to Privacy laws. The "Right to Privacy" in the Philippines is a constitutionally guaranteed right (Article III, 1987 Constitution), enforced primarily through the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173), which regulates the processing of personal information by both public and private entities. The Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act (RA 9995): Prohibits capturing or sharing "intimate" images or videos of a person without their consent where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
The most recent and significant circular regarding video recording is NPC Circular No. 2025-01, titled "Guidelines on the Processing of Personal Data is applicable whenever you use these devices to capture "personal data" (faces, voices, identifiable info) and then upload, stream, or monetize that content. At that point, you are legally considered a Personal Information Controller (PIC).
There are some intracacies in all of this which should be understood. There are exemptions and limits to filming, and one should become familiar with this latest circular which delineates between News Organizations and Amateur Videos (Personal vs. Public) and the "Totality of Circumstances."
My take is to be civil, be polite, and use common sense. When filming in public remember, even in the Philippines, there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. However, when capturing individuals as characters in a video or when a video clearly captures Identifing Personal Information (broad definition here) one should always seek permission. And if you are in doubt, the best practice is to just don't do it and or always include a disclaimer on your channel's home page or in the video description, i.e.,
* This channel occasionally records in public for vlogs. To exercise privacy rights or request blurring, contact: tropicshade_1@gmail.com.
*** This article and video are in no way is to be taken as legal advice and is only my opinion . I am not a lawyer.
