DOJ asks Congress to look into AI-related sexual abuse of children

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday exhorted Congress to study possible measures on artificial intelligence (AI) amid reports of its use to sexually exploit children.

Remulla issued the call after the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) reported that incidents of  AI-aided online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) have already been reported in other countries.

“To be more thorough about it, we should ask Congress to look into this matter of AI use and kinds of specific offenses that we can charge against the people who use AI to achieve the desired effect,” he said. 

“Ang AI kasi is only a tool. Human beings [who] use AI to get what they want, achieving what they want, in violation of the law, have to be punished,” Remulla said. "I think it's a very important and urgent thing to talk to Congress about the legal reform in this regard."

According to CWC Undersecretary Angelo Tapales, AI-related OSAEC cases have been reported in other countries. He also admitted curbing such incidents is difficult. 

“Ito pong AI OSAEC cases, it's difficult in the sense that we have a new species of violators now…It's not confined to the usual violators… It's also extremely difficult to distinguish between AI and pictures,” he said.

Tapales, however, said using AI to generate materials related to OSAEC is prohibited under the law and is a violation of the Republic Act. No. 11930. 

“The Anti-OSAEC Law is very clear. The production of these materials, distribution, or even possession…there is a such an offense under Section 4 (Prohibited Acts). Hindi lang mismo 'yung nagpipicture ng mga bata. Pati 'yung gumagawa, nagdi-distribute, kumikita po dito at tsaka pati nagsu-subscribe,” he added. 

A report by Agence-France Presse said some high school students in the US were being subject to scandals and harassment after being victimized by the so-called “deep fakes”. 

Makabata Hotline

The DOJ and the CWC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the Makabata 1383 Helpline Project — a helpline launched by the CWC to help address children’s concerns on abuse and other forms of exploitation. 

The helpline was launched earlier this month in celebration of National Children's Month.

Tapales said the helpline has been receiving both legal inquiries and emergency cases. 

Questions on legal cases were referred to their lawyers, or social workers while emergency calls were referred to local government units, law enforcement agencies, or the Department of Social Welfare and Development depending on the concern. 

“The idea of the Makabata Hotline is to interconnect between all other hotlines…Kahit san po tumawag ang bata, mayroong pupuntahan ang tawag niya. May magssolve,” he said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News