Usapang Diskarte
Type of site | YouTube channel / Facebook page |
|---|---|
| Available in | Filipino |
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Users | 252,000 subscribers (YouTube) |
| Current status | Closed (since July 15, 2022) |
Usapang Diskarte was a YouTube channel known for hosting content allegedly promoting sexual abuse and grooming of minors.[1]
Channel
[edit]Usapang Diskarte had at least 252,000 subscribers prior to its shutdown in July 2022.[2] It uploaded roughly 1,000 videos and operated for years.[3]
The Philippine National Police alleged the channel was "connected to a group of sexual predators who equates ‘macho’ with being abusive." The PNP described the channel's contents to include "tips on how to lure a minor to have sex with an older man" where minors are "conditioned into thinking that having sex with an older man is normal".[4]
The administrator of Usapang Diskarte was unknown.
Response
[edit]Shut down
[edit]The YouTube channel was shut down by Google on July 14, 2022. Likewise, Meta did the same for Usapang Diskarte's page on Facebook.[5][6]
Investigation
[edit]The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) disclosed that the channel's activities has been under surveillance since March 2022.[5] In July 2022,[4] the law enforcement's efforts was disrupted when the channel was shut down after its videos went viral.[5]
Google and Meta were ordered by court to disclose computer data related to Usapang Diskarte to aid the investigations; orders which were complied by the two companies.[4]
Law reform
[edit]Senator Risa Hontiveros condemned the YouTube channel for its content and cited its exposure as one of the reasons why her bill, the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) Act which strengthens the current anti-child porn law, must be approved into law.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Malasig, Jeline (July 13, 2022). "Calls to report Pinoy YouTube user for alleged child grooming mount online". Interaksyon. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ "PNP serves warrant to ask for data of YouTuber encouraging child sex abuse". Rappler. August 30, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ Suralta, Bryle (July 18, 2022). "How Usapang Diskarte Empowered a Network of Filipino Sexual Predators". Esquire. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Court orders Facebook, YouTube to preserve data on 'Usapang Diskarte' viral for online pedophilia". The Philippine Star. August 30, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Anti-Cybercrime Group probe hits snag after YouTube channel goes viral". GMA News. July 15, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ Casilao, Joahna Lei (August 30, 2022). "Warrants out for Usapang Diskarte data, says PNP". GMA News. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ Villaruel, Jauhn Etienne (July 14, 2022). "'Horrifying': Hontiveros exposes YouTube channel grooming children for sex". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 30, 2023.