A bill is being proposed in the Senate that, once signed into law, can make Facebook Marketplace, Lazada, Shopee, and other e-commerce sites liable for the sale of illegal or prohibited products on their platforms.
With the proposed Senate Bill No. 1591, also known as the Internet Transactions Act as authored by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, an e-commerce bureau will be established and have authority over companies involved in internet retail, including online travel services and digital financial services.
A section in the bill states that if an e-commerce platform knowingly allowed the sale of a prohibited product, then that platform will share solidary liability.
Sen. Gatchalian is pushing for the bill to protect the interest of consumers. Recently, the National Telecommunications Commission issued cease-and-desist orders to Facebook Marketplace, Lazada, and Shopee for displaying ads of SMS blast machines, which the NTC believes may be used to violate the Radio Control Law and similar regulations.
Source: Senate.gov.ph