“Access” – refers to the instruction, communication with, storing data in, retrieving data from, or otherwise making use of any resources of a computer system or communication network. (Section 3[a], R.A. No. 10175, Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012)
“Alteration” – refers to the modification or change, in form or substance, of an existing computer data or program. (Section 3[b], Ibid.)
“Communication” – refers to the transmission of information through ICT media, including voice, video and other forms of data. (Section 3[c], Ibid.)
“Computer” – refers to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other data processing or communications device, or grouping of such devices, capable of performing logical, arithmetic, routing, or storage functions and which includes any storage facility or equipment or communications facility or equipment directly related to or operating in conjunction with such device. It covers any type of computer device including devices with data processing capabilities like mobile phones, smart phones, computer networks and other devices connected to the internet. (Section 3[d], Ibid.)
“Computer data” – refers to any representation of facts, information, or concepts in a form suitable for processing in a computer system including a program suitable to cause a computer system to perform a function and includes electronic documents and/or electronic data messages whether stored in local computer systems or online. (Section 3[e], Ibid.)
“Computer program” – refers to a set of instructions executed by the computer to achieve intended results. (Section 3[f], Ibid.)
“Computer system” – refers to any device or group of interconnected or related devices, one or more of which, pursuant to a program, performs automated processing of data. It covers any type of device with data processing capabilities including, but not limited to, computers and mobile phones. The device consisting of hardware and software may include input, output and storage components which may stand alone or be connected in a network or other similar devices. It also includes computer data storage devices or media. (Section 3[g], Ibid.)
“Without right” – refers to either: (a) conduct undertaken without or in excess of authority; or (b) conduct not covered by established legal defenses, excuses, court orders, justifications, or relevant principles under the law. (Section 3[h], Ibid.)
“Cyber” – refers to a computer or a computer network, the electronic medium in which online communication takes place. (Section 3[i], Ibid.)
“Critical infrastructure” – refers to the computer systems, and/or networks, whether physical or virtual, and/or the computer programs, computer data and/or traffic data so vital to this country that the incapacity or destruction of or interference with such system and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national or economic security, national public health and safety, or any combination of those matters. (Section 3[j], Ibid.)
“Cybersecurity” – refers to the collection of tools, policies, risk management approaches, actions, training, best practices, assurance and technologies that can be used to protect the cyber environment and organization and user’s assets. (Section 3[k], Ibid.)
“Database” – refers to a representation of information, knowledge, facts, concepts, or instructions which are being prepared, processed or stored or have been prepared, processed or stored in a formalized manner and which are intended for use in a computer system. (Section 3[l], Ibid.)
“Interception” – refers to listening to, recording, monitoring or surveillance of the content of communications, including procuring of the content of data, either directly, through access and use of a computer system or indirectly, through the use of electronic eavesdropping or tapping devices, at the same time that the communication is occurring. (Section 3[m], Ibid.)
“Service provider” refers to:
1) Any public or private entity that provides to users of its service the ability to communicate by means of a computer system; and,
2) Any other entity that processes or stores computer data on behalf of such communication service or users of such service. (Section 3[n], Ibid.)
“Subscriber’s information” – refers to any information contained in the form of computer data or any other form that is held by a service provider, relating to subscribers of its services other than traffic or content data and by which identity can be established:
1) The type of communication service used, the technical provisions taken thereto and the period of service;
2) The subscriber’s identity, postal or geographic address, telephone and other access numbers, any assigned network address, billing and payment information, available on the basis of the service agreement or arrangement; and,
3) Any other available information on the site of the installation of communication equipment, available on the basis of the service agreement or arrangement. (Section 3[o], Ibid.)
“Traffic data” or “non-content data” – refers to any computer data other than the content of the communication including, but not limited to, the communication’s origin, destination, route, time, date, size, duration, or type of underlying service. (Section 3[p], Ibid.)
2. Cybercrime offenses/crimes
a. Offenses against the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer data and systems:
1) Illegal Access. – The access to the whole or any part of a computer system without right.
2) Illegal Interception. – The interception made by technical means without right of any non-public transmission of computer data to, from, or within a computer system including electromagnetic emissions from a computer system carrying such computer data.
3) Data Interference. – The intentional or reckless alteration, damaging, deletion or deterioration of computer data, electronic document, or electronic data message, without right, including the introduction or transmission of viruses.
4) System Interference. – The intentional alteration or reckless hindering or interference with the functioning of a computer or computer network by inputting, transmitting, damaging, deleting, deteriorating, altering or suppressing computer data or program, electronic document, or electronic data message, without right or authority, including the introduction or transmission of viruses.
5) Misuse of Devices. –
(a) The use, production, sale, procurement, importation, distribution, or otherwise making available, without right, of: (i) A device, including a computer program, designed or adapted primarily for the purpose of committing any of the offenses under this Act; or, (ii) A computer password, access code, or similar data by which the whole or any part of a computer system is capable of being accessed with intent that it be used for the purpose of committing any of the offenses under this Act.
(b) The possession of an item referred to in paragraphs 5(i)(aa) or (bb) above with intent to use said devices for the purpose of committing any of the offenses under this section.
6) Cyber-squatting. – The acquisition of a domain name over the internet in bad faith to profit, mislead, destroy reputation, and deprive others from registering the same, if such a domain name is:
(a) Similar, identical, or confusingly similar to an existing trademark registered with the appropriate government agency at the time of the domain name registration:
(b) Identical or in any way similar with the name of a person other than the registrant, in case of a personal name; and,
(c) Acquired without right or with intellectual property interests in it. (Section 4[a], Ibid.)
b. Computer-related Offenses
1) Computer-related Forgery. –
(a) The input, alteration, or deletion of any computer data without right resulting in inauthentic data with the intent that it be considered or acted upon for legal purposes as if it were authentic, regardless whether or not the data is directly readable and intelligible; or,
(b) The act of knowingly using computer data which is the product of computer-related forgery as defined herein, for the purpose of perpetuating a fraudulent or dishonest design.
2) Computer-related Fraud. – The unauthorized input, alteration, or deletion of computer data or program or interference in the functioning of a computer system, causing damage thereby with fraudulent intent: Provided, That if no damage has yet been caused, the penalty imposable shall be one (1) degree lower.
3) Computer-related Identity Theft. – The intentional acquisition, use, misuse, transfer, possession, alteration or deletion of identifying information belonging to another, whether natural or juridical, without right: Provided, That if no damage has yet been caused, the penalty imposable shall be one (1) degree lower. (Section 4[b], Ibid.)
c. Content-related Offenses
1) Cybersex. – The willful engagement, maintenance, control, or operation, directly or indirectly, of any lascivious exhibition of sexual organs or sexual activity, with the aid of a computer system, for favor or consideration.
2) Child Pornography. – The unlawful or prohibited acts defined and punishable by Republic Act No. 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, committed through a computer system: Provided, That the penalty to be imposed shall be (1) one degree higher than that provided for in Republic Act No. 9775.
3) Unsolicited Commercial Communications. – The transmission of commercial electronic communication with the use of computer system which seek to advertise, sell, or offer for sale products and services are prohibited unless:
(a) There is prior affirmative consent from the recipient; or
(b) The primary intent of the communication is for service and/or administrative announcements from the sender to its existing users, subscribers or customers; or
(c) The following conditions are present: (i) The commercial electronic communication contains a simple, valid, and reliable way for the recipient to reject. receipt of further commercial electronic messages (opt-out) from the same source; (ii) The commercial electronic communication does not purposely disguise the source of the electronic message; and, (iii) The commercial electronic communication does not purposely include misleading information in any part of the message in order to induce the recipients to read the message.
4) Libel. – The unlawful or prohibited acts of libel as defined in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future. (Section 4[c], Ibid.)
d. Other offenses
The following acts shall also constitute an offense:
1) Aiding or Abetting in the Commission of Cybercrime. – Any person who willfully abets or aids in the commission of any of the offenses enumerated in this Act shall be held liable.
2) Attempt in the Commission of Cybercrime. — Any person who willfully attempts to commit any of the offenses enumerated in this Act shall be held liable. (Section 5, Ibid.)
3. Corporate Liability
When any of the punishable acts herein defined are knowingly committed on behalf of or for the benefit of a juridical person, by a natural person acting either individually or as part of an organ of the juridical person, who has a leading position within, based on: (a) a power of representation of the juridical person provided the act committed falls within the scope of such authority; (b) an authority to take decisions on behalf of the juridical person: Provided, That the act committed falls within the scope of such authority; or (c) an authority to exercise control within the juridical person, the juridical person shall be held liable for a fine equivalent to at least double the fines imposable in Section 7 up to a maximum of Ten million pesos (PhP10,000,000.00). (Section 9, Ibid.)
If the commission of any of the punishable acts herein defined was made possible due to the lack of supervision or control by a natural person referred to and described in the preceding paragraph, for the benefit of that juridical person by a natural person acting under its authority, the juridical person shall be held liable for a fine equivalent to at least double the fines imposable in Section 7 up to a maximum of Five million pesos (PhP5,000,000.00). (Paragraph 2, Section 9, Ibid.)
The liability imposed on the juridical person shall be without prejudice to the criminal liability of the natural person who has committed the offense. (Paragraph 3, Section 9, Ibid.)
4. When applicable to other laws
a. For RPC Offenses
All crimes defined and penalized by the Revised Penal Code, as amended, and special laws, if committed by, through and with the use of information and communications technologies shall be covered by the relevant provisions of the law: Provided, That the penalty to be imposed shall be one (1) degree higher than that provided for by the Revised Penal Code, as amended, and special laws, as the case may be. (Section 6, Ibid.)
b. For other laws
A prosecution under Cybercrime Prevention Law shall be without prejudice to any liability for violation of any provision of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, or special laws. (Section 7, Ibid.)
5. Law Enforcement
a. Real-time collection of traffic data
Law enforcement authorities, with due cause, shall be authorized to collect or record by technical or electronic means traffic data in real-time associated with specified communications transmitted by means of a computer system. (Section 12, Ibid.)
Traffic data – refer only to the communication’s origin, destination, route, time, date, size, duration, or type of underlying service, but not content, nor identities. (Paragraph 2, Section 12, Ibid.)
All other data to be collected or seized or disclosed will require a court warrant. (Paragraph 3, Section 12, Ibid.)
Service providers: They are required to cooperate and assist law enforcement authorities in the collection or recording of the above-stated information. (Paragraph 4, Section 12, Ibid.)
Court warrant: The court warrant required under this section shall only be issued or granted upon written application and the examination under oath or affirmation of the applicant and the witnesses he may produce and the showing: (1) that there are reasonable grounds to believe that any of the crimes enumerated hereinabove has been committed, or is being committed, or is about to be committed: (2) that there are reasonable grounds to believe that evidence that will be obtained is essential to the conviction of any person for, or to the solution of, or to the prevention of, any such crimes; and (3) that there are no other means readily available for obtaining such evidence. (Paragraph 5, Section 12, Ibid.)
b. Preservation of computer data
6-month preservation: The integrity of traffic data and subscriber information relating to communication services provided by a service provider shall be preserved for a minimum period of six (6) months from the date of the transaction. Content data shall be similarly preserved for six (6) months from the date of receipt of the order from law enforcement authorities requiring its preservation. (Section 13, Ibid.)
Same; 1-time extendible: Law enforcement authorities may order a one-time extension for another six (6) months: Provided, That once computer data preserved, transmitted or stored by a service provider is used as evidence in a case, the mere furnishing to such service provider of the transmittal document to the Office of the Prosecutor shall be deemed a notification to preserve the computer data until the termination of the case. (Paragraph 2, Section 13, Ibid.)
Same; Confidential: The service provider ordered to preserve computer data shall keep confidential the order and its compliance. (Paragraph 3, Section 13, Ibid.)
c. Disclosure of computer data
Law enforcement authorities, upon securing a court warrant, shall issue an order requiring any person or service provider to disclose or submit subscriber’s information, traffic data or relevant data in his/its possession or control within seventy-two (72) hours from receipt of the order in relation to a valid complaint officially docketed and assigned for investigation and the disclosure is necessary and relevant for the purpose of investigation. (Section 14, Ibid.)
d. Search, seizure and examination of computer data
Where a search and seizure warrant is properly issued, the law enforcement authorities shall likewise have the following powers and duties. Within the time period specified in the warrant, to conduct interception, as defined in this Act, and:
1) To secure a computer system or a computer data storage medium;
2) To make and retain a copy of those computer data secured;
3) To maintain the integrity of the relevant stored computer data;
4) To conduct forensic analysis or examination of the computer data storage medium; and,
5) To render inaccessible or remove those computer data in the accessed computer or computer and communications network. (Section 15, Ibid.)
Order to preserve: Pursuant thereof, the law enforcement authorities may order any person who has knowledge about the functioning of the computer system and the measures to protect and preserve the computer data therein to provide, as is reasonable, the necessary information, to enable the undertaking of the search, seizure and examination. (Paragraph 3, Section 15, Ibid.)
Same; Extension: Law enforcement authorities may request for an extension of time to complete the examination of the computer data storage medium and to make a return thereon but in no case for a period longer than thirty (30) days from date of approval by the court. (Paragraph 4, Section 15, Ibid.)
e. Custody of computer data
All computer data, including content and traffic data, examined under a proper warrant shall, within forty-eight (48) hours after the expiration of the period fixed therein, be deposited with the court in a sealed package, and shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the law enforcement authority executing it stating the dates and times covered by the examination, and the law enforcement authority who may access the deposit, among other relevant data. (Section 16, Ibid.)
Certification: The law enforcement authority shall also certify that no duplicates or copies of the whole or any part thereof have been made, or if made, that all such duplicates or copies are included in the package deposited with the court.
Deposited package: The package so deposited shall not be opened, or the recordings replayed, or used in evidence, or then contents revealed, except upon order of the court, which shall not be granted except upon motion, with due notice and opportunity to be heard to the person or persons whose conversation or communications have been recorded. (Ibid.)
f. Destruction of computer data
Upon expiration of the periods as provided in Sections 13 and 15, service providers and law enforcement authorities, as the case may be, shall immediately and completely destroy the computer data subject of a preservation and examination. (Section 17, Ibid.)
g. Exclusionary rule
Any evidence procured without a valid warrant or beyond the authority of the same shall be inadmissible for any proceeding before any court or tribunal. (Section 18, Ibid.)
h. Restricting or blocking access to computer data
When a computer data is prima facie found to be in violation of the provisions of this Act, the DOJ shall issue an order to restrict or block access to such computer data. (Section 19, Ibid.)
i. Noncompliance
Failure to comply with the provisions of Chapter IV of the law specifically the orders from law enforcement authorities shall be punished as a violation of Presidential Decree No. 1829 with imprisonment of prision correctional in its maximum period or a fine of One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00) or both, for each and every noncompliance with an order issued by law enforcement authorities.
j. Jurisdiction
The Regional Trial Court shall have jurisdiction over any violation of the provisions of this Act. including any violation committed by a Filipino national regardless of the place of commission. Jurisdiction shall lie if any of the elements was committed within the Philippines or committed with the use of any computer system wholly or partly situated in the country, or when by such commission any damage is caused to a natural or juridical person who, at the time the offense was committed, was in the Philippines. (Section 20, Ibid.)
There shall be designated special cybercrime courts manned by specially trained judges to handle cybercrime cases. (Paragraph 2, Section 20, Ibid.)
