The Internet has changed the way we live. It has improved the way we communicate with people and how we share information. However, the Internet can also cause problems especially when it is not working as advertised or used as a tool for criminal acts. Filipinos are very familiar with such problems. Here are ten examples to start with, some are mundane while some are serious.
1. Slow and expensive internet
A big check for everyone? Although the state of the Internet in the country is better compared to, let’s say, ten years ago? Our country is still lagging in internet speed and is more expensive compared to other countries in Asia. This has already attracted the attention of our lawmakers and government agencies although I wonder how they are handling it so far.
2. No 3G, 4G LTE coverage or connectivity
Majority of Filipinos have smartphones and tablets and they mostly use these mobile devices to access the Internet. In this case, we rely on 3G and 4G LTE networks to stay connected. However, despite telcos advertising that they have the capacity and coverage in major areas, quality is not always consistent. This creates trust issues especially when telcos advertise…
3. “UNLIMITED” services
Telcos love using the word “unlimited” or “unli” in their internet promos but we all know that those are not really unlimited by definition. Consume your allocated bandwidth and you’ll be greeted by…
4. Fair Usage Policy aka FUP
Once you hit data cap, most of the time your internet is practically useless. You can still connect to the internet though but at a very slow speed. The DOJ has recently warned the telcos of imposing FUP on their so-called unlimited internet as it was deemed deceptive and unfair under the Consumer Act.
5. Hacking
Hacking is still a prevalent issue not just in powerful countries like the US and China but in developing countries as well like the Philippines. Just this year multiple hackings have been reported in the country claiming to be done by Filipino hackers. These hackers have defaced local government, corporate, and Chinese websites as a way to voice out their concerns. On a larger scale, one of the most recent cases is the hacking of Sony Pictures.
6. Cyberbullying and social media flogging
Filipinos are very vocal on the Internet especially when they are anonymous. They voice out almost everything on forums, comments sections, especially in the social media sphere like Facebook and YouTube. Social media is a powerful tool in exposing abusive individuals especially those in power, however, people have also used this as a platform to bully or troll other people. Some examples are the case of “Amalayer” girl Paula Jamie Salvosa and the online mocking of Senator Nancy Binay.
7. Social media addiction
Social media is not really harmful per se. It’s where we get news and updates from our friends, family, and other people around the world. It only becomes an issue when a person becomes addicted to it to the point that it has already affected his/her productivity or real social life.
8. When no one Likes or Retweets my post
Admit it, your ego gets hurt a bit when your Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter posts do not get the amount of Likes or engagement that you want. Social media responsible individuals will take this as motivation to improve the quality of their posts like coming up with more engaging topics or better photos to share. Those in the other end of the spectrum will resort to more attention-seeking methods like posting obscene seflies, useless ranting, using at least ten hashtags in one post, sharing disgusting photos, or spreading…
9. Hoaxes
The objective of a hoax is to trick someone into believing something that is not true. Unfortunately, a lot of people still fall for hoax articles nowadays especially when found on social media sites. One example is the one about Facebook planning to charge its users monthly fees to use their services. A hoax can become a serious issue especially when it incites widespread fear and paranoia like the Ebola hoax. The hoax news became too viral that it prompted the DOH to publicly dismiss the report and for Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to warn the public that spreading false information online may land you in jail.
10. Online scams
Online scams or internet fraud is an ongoing issue especially in the Philippines. These criminals are simply out there to get your money and they have increasingly become more creative in doing so (like our corrupt government officials). There are the emails that claim to be from a royal family in Africa letting you know that you have inherited their fortune, fake online merchants that disappear after you send them payment, fake lovers in social media sites, and online sextortion syndicates.
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