Cybercrime Prevention Act: Latest Tool in Law Enforcement

As the world is increasingly interconnected, everyone shares the responsibility of securing cyberspace. — Newton Lee

In this 21st century, known as the Digital Age, technology has been the leading key figure on the planet. New inventions which made everyday living easier have emerged and keep on improving. Technological companies are emerging and competing to create gadgets that consumers buy to make everything easier, most especially communications.

Communication has become instantaneous in this era with the help of the internet. Different social media platforms have emerged in which people can now talk to strangers and post their stories and pictures on the internet. But with this emergence of novel ideas, criminal activities have also caught up and improved. In line with this, the country has promulgated the Republic Act No. 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. This act defines what is deemed as cybercrimes and penalizes those who violate this.

The prevention act would greatly aid law enforcement in battling criminal activities and starting from illegal perceptions, ransomware, and even child pornography. Although the following can be quickly punished with this act, the government, and we, as future police officers, must also practice proper netiquette. By proper netiquette, I meant legally asking for permission to access a person’s private internet information and to employ transparency. This is due to the fact that the act enables law enforcement to intercept personal data and communications. Each person has the legal right to privacy, and improper accessing that right is against the law.

As future police officers, we must consider that we are bound by not only security duties but also legal boundaries. In combatting crimes, we must always think on a legal basis to make the operations smoother and prevent mishaps. Going on, the approval of this act as a law would significantly contribute to combatting the cybercrimes in the country, not only illegal gambling but, most importantly, child pornography. It can also track illegal trafficking sites, and the operators are punished with this law.

As the world ushers into the modern era, criminal activities also come into different forms. The days wherein illegal activities are primarily done in the light are less. The criminals are now facing the screens of their gadgets, operating in remote areas, even in the safety of their homes. With such circumstances, the government and law enforcement should provide ample support and funding in catching and combatting cybercrimes, as the influence of technology is a powerful catalyst for change.[1]

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[1] The Keenfolks. (2020, November 18). The Impact of Technology on Consumer Behaviour - | Keensights. Keenfolks. https://thekeenfolks.com/the-impact-of-technology-on-consumer-behaviour/