PLDT, Smart blocking over 100 sites streaming extreme violent content

PLDT chief operating officer Butch Jimenez says its networks 'will not be used as a channel for content that glorifies violence and puts our communities, especially our children, at risk' MANILA, Philippines – PLDT and Smart Communications announced on Friday, August 21, that they would block more than 100 websites found to be streaming or hosting videos of school shootings and other forms of extreme violence. PLDT chief operating officer Butch Jimenez said the company does not tolerate such content. “We have decided to ban these kinds of sites preemptively, as soon as they are discovered,” Jimenez explained, adding its networks “will not be used as a channel for content that glorifies violence and puts our communities, especially our children, at risk.” The blocking, a prepared statement showed, will occur at the network level, so that such sites would be inaccessible to all PLDT and Smart subscribers. Further, the list of blocked sites is expected to grow as other sites are found or identified through information provided by government agencies alongside PLDT’s own monitoring. Jimenez added, “Content that turns real-world violence into entertainment has no place on our networks and in our society, and we will keep acting decisively every time we find it.” The action by PLDT follows similar moves to block other sorts of objectionable content, such as child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Back in March, PLDT said it blocked 83,000 attempts to open child abuse links in January 2026. PLDT is also a member of the Internet Watch Foundation, a UK charity whose purpose is to minimize the availability of online sexual abuse content, such as CSAM, worldwide. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading