Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has reportedly removed the pages of 20 social media influencers promoting illegal online gambling platforms.
The action to take down high-profile influencers’ Facebook pages allegedly promoting illegal online gambling was a result of cooperation between Digital Pinoys, a digital advocacy group, and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).
Among the first four pages that were already officially taken down are: Sachzna Laparan (9.7 million followers), Boy Tapang vlogs (5.5 million followers), Mark Anthony Fernandez (242K followers), and Kuya LexTV (100K followers).
According to the Facebook post by Digital Pinoys, these four pages are the first of the 20 accounts endorsed for page deletion.
“This is only the initial list of influencers promoting illegal online gambling that Digital Pinoys has endorsed to CICC for page takedown. Review and verification of influencers to determine whether the platforms they promote are properly licensed is continuously being undertaken. If you come across anyone endorsing illegal online gambling, you may report them to us,” added Digital Pinoys.
The other 16 influencer pages that are endorsed for deletion include:
- Miss Ginbilog (6.7 million followers)
- Yalu_Ok (4.6 million followers)
- Hypebits (4.6 million followers)
- Vic Desucatan (6.7 million followers)
- MoxieTV (1.2 million followers)
- Mga ka-dreamers 2.0 (1.1 million followers)
- TanleyTV (986K followers)
- Aklas (710K followers)
- SalasJinky (707K followers)
- Ekang Shurikat (442K followers)
- Ann mini vlog (292K followers)
- Gaile Ocariza (244K followers)
- Ralyn Jane Pangasian Bernante (206K followers)
- Gangster Squad (85K followers)
- Frisco Gaming (68K followers)
- AwitG (45K followers)
Ronald Gustilo, Digital Pinoys National Campaigner, thanked Meta for quickly acting on their joint request with CICC to remove the influencer pages that were blatantly promoting unregulated, illegal online gambling in the country. He also expressed hope that the remaining flagged pages will be taken down soon.
Gustilo also said that some of the influencers thought they were untouchable and that the campaigners were bluffing, but now they’re facing the consequences of their actions.
“Under the leadership of Asec. Aboy Paraiso, we’ve seen real, fast, and effective action. This is the kind of CICC we need—decisive, responsive, and unafraid. Congratulations to the entire CICC team.”
With the increasing outcry of the masses to stop the online gambling industry from spreading and destroying the lives of Filipinos, PAGCOR has started acting to remove various advertisements on the roads. At the same time, several lawmakers in the 20th Congress have already filed their respective bills to regulate the online gambling industry and its access to popular e-wallets.
Source: News5