19 January 2021

Digital 2020 Wrap-up

Shocking and challenging—these are the words that best describe the year 2020. Shocking mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other tumultuous social events; challenging in financial, physical, and psycho-social aspects of our lives. And some of us were able to deal with these challenges by improving our social bonds with our mutually “lock-down-ed” friends via the internet and social media. Indeed, it is undeniable that the technologies of the digital age have helped us cope with this struggling year, one way or another. But is everything that is digital automatically produce beneficial effects to us and to society? To balance things out, here is a year-review of the internet, social media, and other digital-related issues that plagued the Philippines and Filipinos for the year 2020.

Zoom privacy issues

Arrest for government-critical social media posts

Staysafe contact-tracing app raises data privacy concerns

Anti-Terror Law

Cloned Facebook accounts

DOH leak

Rise of online platforms amid the pandemic

Facebook takes down network of fake accounts linked to AFP, PNP

Fake news

Online learning and digital divide

PhilSys pre-registration

Surge in Online Delivery Services and Related Labor Issues