dicini- cybercrime full text

7/23/2019 DICINI- Cybercrime Full Text

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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – On Tuesday, February 1, !he "upre#e $%ur! upheld !he &%ns!i!u!i%nali!y

%' #%s! pr%isi%ns %' epubli& A&! 1*1+ %r !he $yber&ri#e Preen!i%n A&! %' -*1-.

The "$ ruled !ha! !he &%n!r%ersial pr%isi%n %n %nline libel is &%ns!i!u!i%nal, bu! is sub/e&! !% %ne &%ndi!i%n0

%nly !he %riinal au!h%r, n%! !h%se 2h% re&eie %r rea&! !% !he p%s!, &an be penali3ed.

Mean2hile, 4 pr%isi%ns 2ere %!ed d%2n as &a!e%ri&ally un&%ns!i!u!i%nal0

• "e&!i%n 5 (&)(4) 2hi&h per!ains !% uns%li&i!ed &%##er&ial &%##uni&a!i%ns

• "e&!i%n 1- 2hi&h per!ains !% real6!i#e &%lle&!i%n %' !ra''i& da!a

• "e&!i%n 17 2hi&h per!ains !% res!ri&!in %r bl%&8in a&&ess !% &%#pu!er da!a

The "$ de&ided !ha! ran!in p%2er !% !he Depar!#en! %' 9us!i&e !% res!ri&! &%#pu!er da!a %n !he basis %' pri#a

'a&ie %r ini!ially %bsered eiden&e 2as n%! in 8eepin 2i!h !he $%ns!i!u!i%n. The said au!%#a!i& !a8e6d%2n

&lause is '%und in "e&!i%n 17 %' !he &yber&ri#e preen!i%n la2.

The rulin %n %nline libel 2as #e! 2i!h indina!i%n by #any ne!i3ens, 2h% p%s!ed !2ee!s usin

:N%nLibel%usT2ee!. (EAD0 Libel in !he ae %' li8e)

"ena!%r Miria# De'ens%r6"an!ia% &alled !he libel rulin err%ne%us. "ena!%r ;%nb%n Mar&%s, %n !he %!her

hand, 'iled a bill !ha! 2%uld redu&e !he penal!y '%r %nline libel .

;el%2 is !he de&isi%n %' !he "upre#e $%ur! %n !he $yber&ri#e Preen!i%n A&! %' -*1- in i!s en!ire!y, and !he

separa!e dissen!in and &%n&urrin %pini%ns %' s%#e %' !he "$ /us!i&es.

epubli& %' !he Philippines

SUPREME COURT

Manila

EN ;AN$

G.R. No. 203335 February 11, 2014

JOSE JESUS M. DISINI, JR., ROEN! S. DISINI, "I!NNE I#$ P. MEDIN!, J!NETTE TOR!" a%&

ERNESTO SONIDO, JR., Pe!i!i%ners,s.

T'E SECRET!R$ OF JUSTICE, T'E SECRET!R$ OF T'E DEP!RTMENT OF T'E INTERIOR

!ND "OC!" GO#ERNMENT, T'E E(ECUTI#E DIRECTOR OF T'E INFORM!TION !ND

COMMUNIC!TIONS TEC'NO"OG$ OFFICE, T'E C'IEF OF T'E P'I"IPPINE N!TION!"

PO"ICE a%& T'E DIRECTOR OF T'E N!TION!" )URE!U OF IN#ESTIG!TION, esp%nden!s.

D E $ I " I O N

!)!D, J.:

http://www.rappler.com/nation/50881-sc-upholds-cybercrime-law-sections


http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/51009-netizens-frustrations-cybercrime-law-nonlibeloustweet


http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/51184-cybercrime-libel-age-like

http://www.rappler.com/nation/51070-miriam-sc-ruling-online-libel-erroneous

http://www.rappler.com/nation/50997-marcos-bill-online-libel-amend-cybercrime-law





http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/51184-cybercrime-libel-age-like

http://www.rappler.com/nation/51070-miriam-sc-ruling-online-libel-erroneous

http://www.rappler.com/nation/50997-marcos-bill-online-libel-amend-cybercrime-law



These &%ns%lida!ed pe!i!i%ns see8 !% de&lare seeral pr%isi%ns %' epubli& A&! (.A.) 1*1+, !he $yber&ri#e

Preen!i%n A&! %' -*1-, un&%ns!i!u!i%nal and %id.

The Fa&!s and !he $ase

The &yber&ri#e la2 ai#s !% reula!e a&&ess !% and use %' !he &yberspa&e. Usin his lap!%p %r &%#pu!er, a pers%n

&an &%nne&! !% !he in!erne!, a sys!e# !ha! lin8s hi# !% %!her &%#pu!ers and enable hi#, a#%n %!her !hins, !%0

1. A&&ess ir!ual libraries and en&y&l%pedias '%r all 8inds %' in'%r#a!i%n !ha! he needs '%r resear&h, s!udya#use#en!, upli'!#en!, %r pure &uri%si!y<

-. P%s! billb%ard6li8e n%!i&es %r #essaes, in&ludin pi&!ures and ide%s, '%r !he eneral publi& %r '%r spe&ia

audien&es li8e ass%&ia!es, &lass#a!es, %r 'riends and read p%s!ins 'r%# !he#<

4. Ader!ise and pr%#%!e %%ds %r seri&es and #a8e pur&hases and pay#en!s<

5. In=uire and d% business 2i!h ins!i!u!i%nal en!i!ies li8e %ern#en! aen&ies, ban8s, s!%&8 e>&hanes, !rade

h%uses, &redi! &ard &%#panies, publi& u!ili!ies, h%spi!als, and s&h%%ls< and

. $%##uni&a!e in 2ri!in %r by %i&e 2i!h any pers%n !hr%uh his e6#ail address %r !eleph%ne.

This is &yberspa&e, a sys!e# !ha! a&&%##%da!es #illi%ns and billi%ns %' si#ul!ane%us and %n%in indiidual

a&&esses !% and uses %' !he in!erne!. The &yberspa&e is a b%%n !% !he need %' !he &urren! enera!i%n '%r rea!er

in'%r#a!i%n and 'a&ili!y %' &%##uni&a!i%n. ;u! all is n%! 2ell 2i!h !he sys!e# sin&e i! &%uld n%! 'il!er %u! anu#ber %' pers%ns %' ill 2ill 2h% 2%uld 2an! !% use &yberspa&e !e&hn%l%y '%r #is&hie's and &ri#es. One %'

!he# &an, '%r ins!an&e, aail hi#sel' %' !he sys!e# !% un/us!ly ruin !he repu!a!i%n %' an%!her %r bully !he la!!er by

p%s!in de'a#a!%ry s!a!e#en!s aains! hi# !ha! pe%ple &an read.

And be&ause lin8in 2i!h !he in!erne! %pens up a user !% &%##uni&a!i%ns 'r%# %!hers, !he ill6#%!ia!ed &an use!he &yberspa&e '%r &%##i!!in !he'! by ha&8in in!% %r surrep!i!i%usly a&&essin his ban8 a&&%un! %r &redi! &ard

%r de'raudin hi# !hr%uh 'alse represen!a!i%ns. The 2i&8ed &an use !he &yberspa&e, !%%, '%r illi&i! !ra''i&8in inse> %r '%r e>p%sin !% p%rn%raphy uileless &hildren 2h% hae a&&ess !% !he in!erne!. F%r !his reas%n, !he%ern#en! has a lei!i#a!e rih! !% reula!e !he use %' &yberspa&e and &%n!ain and punish 2r%nd%ins.

N%!ably, !here are als% !h%se 2h% 2%uld 2an!, li8e andals, !% 2rea8 %r &ause ha%& !% !he &%#pu!er sys!e#s

and ne!2%r8s %' indispensable %r hihly use'ul ins!i!u!i%ns as 2ell as !% !he lap!%p %r &%#pu!er pr%ra#s and

#e#%ries %' inn%&en! indiiduals. They a&&%#plish !his by sendin ele&!r%ni& iruses %r ir!ual dyna#i!es !ha!des!r%y !h%se &%#pu!er sys!e#s, ne!2%r8s, pr%ra#s, and #e#%ries. The %ern#en! &er!ainly has !he du!y and

!he rih! !% preen! !hese !%#'%%leries 'r%# happenin and punish !heir perpe!ra!%rs, hen&e !he $yber&ri#e

Preen!i%n A&!.

;u! pe!i!i%ners &lai# !ha! !he #eans ad%p!ed by !he &yber&ri#e la2 '%r reula!in undesirable &yberspa&ea&!ii!ies i%la!e &er!ain %' !heir &%ns!i!u!i%nal rih!s. The %ern#en! %' &%urse asser!s !ha! !he la2 #erely

see8s !% reas%nably pu! %rder in!% &yberspa&e a&!ii!ies, punish 2r%nd%ins, and preen! hur!'ul a!!a&8s %n !he

sys!e#.

Pendin hearin and ad/udi&a!i%n %' !he issues presen!ed in !hese &ases, %n February , -*14 !he $%ur! e>!ended!he %riinal 1-*6day !e#p%rary res!rainin %rder (TO) !ha! i! earlier issued %n O&!%ber 7, -*1-, en/%inin

resp%nden! %ern#en! aen&ies 'r%# i#ple#en!in !he &yber&ri#e la2 un!il 'ur!her %rders.

The Issues Presen!ed



Pe!i!i%ners &hallene !he &%ns!i!u!i%nali!y %' !he '%ll%2in pr%isi%ns %' !he &yber&ri#e la2 !ha! reard &er!ain

a&!s as &ri#es and i#p%se penal!ies '%r !heir &%##issi%n as 2ell as pr%isi%ns !ha! 2%uld enable !he%ern#en! !% !ra&8 d%2n and penali3e i%la!%rs. These pr%isi%ns are0

a. "e&!i%n 5(a)(1) %n Illeal A&&ess<

b. "e&!i%n 5(a)(4) %n Da!a In!er'eren&e<

&. "e&!i%n 5(a)(?) %n $yber6s=ua!!in<

d. "e&!i%n 5(b)(4) %n Iden!i!y The'!<

e. "e&!i%n 5(&)(1) %n $yberse><

'. "e&!i%n 5(&)(-) %n $hild P%rn%raphy<

. "e&!i%n 5(&)(4) %n Uns%li&i!ed $%##er&ial $%##uni&a!i%ns<

h. "e&!i%n 5(&)(5) %n Libel<

i. "e&!i%n %n Aidin %r Abe!!in and A!!e#p! in !he $%##issi%n %' $yber&ri#es<

/. "e&!i%n ? %n !he Penal!y %' One Deree @iher<

8. "e&!i%n + %n !he Pr%se&u!i%n under b%!h !he eised Penal $%de (P$) and .A. 1*1+<

l. "e&!i%n %n Penal!ies<

#. "e&!i%n 1- %n eal6Ti#e $%lle&!i%n %' Tra''i& Da!a<

n. "e&!i%n 14 %n Presera!i%n %' $%#pu!er Da!a<

%. "e&!i%n 15 %n Dis&l%sure %' $%#pu!er Da!a<

p. "e&!i%n 1 %n "ear&h, "ei3ure and E>a#ina!i%n %' $%#pu!er Da!a<

=. "e&!i%n 1+ %n Des!ru&!i%n %' $%#pu!er Da!a<

r. "e&!i%n 17 %n es!ri&!in %r ;l%&8in A&&ess !% $%#pu!er Da!a<

s. "e&!i%n -* %n Obs!ru&!i%n %' 9us!i&e<

!. "e&!i%n -5 %n $yber&ri#e Ines!ia!i%n and $%%rdina!in $en!er ($I$$)< and

u. "e&!i%n -?(a) %n $I$$s P%2ers and Fun&!i%ns.

"%#e pe!i!i%ners als% raise !he &%ns!i!u!i%nali!y %' rela!ed Ar!i&les 44, 45, 4?1, and 4?- %' !he P$ %n !he

&ri#e %' libel.

The ulins %' !he $%ur!



"e&!i%n 5(a)(1)

"e&!i%n 5(a)(1) pr%ides0

"e&!i%n 5. $yber&ri#e O''enses. – The '%ll%2in a&!s &%ns!i!u!e !he %''ense %' &yber&ri#e punishable under !hisA&!0

(a) O''enses aains! !he &%n'iden!iali!y, in!eri!y and aailabili!y %' &%#pu!er da!a and sys!e#s0

(1) Illeal A&&ess. – The a&&ess !% !he 2h%le %r any par! %' a &%#pu!er sys!e# 2i!h%u! rih!.

Pe!i!i%ners &%n!end !ha! "e&!i%n 5(a)(1) 'ails !% #ee! !he s!ri&! s&ru!iny s!andard re=uired %' la2s !ha! in!er'ere

2i!h !he 'unda#en!al rih!s %' !he pe%ple and sh%uld !hus be s!ru&8 d%2n.

The $%ur! has in a 2ay '%und !he s!ri&! s&ru!iny s!andard, an A#eri&an &%ns!i!u!i%nal &%ns!ru&!, 1 use'ul in

de!er#inin !he &%ns!i!u!i%nali!y %' la2s !ha! !end !% !are! a &lass %' !hins %r pers%ns. A&&%rdin !% !his

s!andard, a leisla!ie &lassi'i&a!i%n !ha! i#per#issibly in!er'eres 2i!h !he e>er&ise %' 'unda#en!al rih! %r

%pera!es !% !he pe&uliar &lass disadan!ae %' a suspe&! &lass is presu#ed un&%ns!i!u!i%nal. The burden is %n !he%ern#en! !% pr%e !ha! !he &lassi'i&a!i%n is ne&essary !% a&hiee a &%#pellin s!a!e in!eres! and !ha! i! is !he

leas! res!ri&!ie #eans !% pr%!e&! su&h in!eres!.- La!er, !he s!ri&! s&ru!iny s!andard 2as used !% assess !he alidi!y%' la2s dealin 2i!h !he reula!i%n %' spee&h, ender, %r ra&e as 2ell as %!her 'unda#en!al rih!s, as e>pansi%n'r%# i!s earlier appli&a!i%ns !% e=ual pr%!e&!i%n.4

In !he &ases be'%re i!, !he $%ur! 'inds n%!hin in "e&!i%n 5(a)(1) !ha! &alls '%r !he appli&a!i%n %' !he s!ri&!

s&ru!iny s!andard sin&e n% 'unda#en!al 'reed%#, li8e spee&h, is in%led in punishin 2ha! is essen!ially a

&%nde#nable a&! – a&&essin !he &%#pu!er sys!e# %' an%!her 2i!h%u! rih!. I! is a uniersally &%nde#ned&%ndu&!.5

Pe!i!i%ners %' &%urse 'ear !ha! !his se&!i%n 2ill /e%pardi3e !he 2%r8 %' e!hi&al ha&8ers, pr%'essi%nals 2h% e#pl%y

!%%ls and !e&hni=ues used by &ri#inal ha&8ers bu! 2%uld nei!her da#ae !he !are! sys!e#s n%r s!ea

in'%r#a!i%n. E!hi&al ha&8ers ealua!e !he !are! sys!e#s se&uri!y and rep%r! ba&8 !% !he %2ners !heulnerabili!ies !hey '%und in i! and ie ins!ru&!i%ns '%r h%2 !hese &an be re#edied. E!hi&al ha&8ers are !he

e=uialen! %' independen! audi!%rs 2h% &%#e in!% an %rani3a!i%n !% eri'y i!s b%%88eepin re&%rds.

;esides, a &lien!s enae#en! %' an e!hi&al ha&8er re=uires an aree#en! be!2een !he# as !% !he e>!en! %' !he

sear&h, !he #e!h%ds !% be used, and !he sys!e#s !% be !es!ed. This is re'erred !% as !he Be! %u! %' /ail 'ree&ard.B?"in&e !he e!hi&al ha&8er d%es his /%b 2i!h pri%r per#issi%n 'r%# !he &lien!, su&h per#issi%n 2%uld

insula!e hi# 'r%# !he &%erae %' "e&!i%n 5(a)(1).

"e&!i%n 5(a)(4) %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%n 5(a)(4) pr%ides0



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http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2014/feb2014/gr_203335_2014.html#fnt1















(4) Da!a In!er'eren&e. – The in!en!i%nal %r re&8less al!era!i%n, da#ain, dele!i%n %r de!eri%ra!i%n %' &%#pu!er

da!a, ele&!r%ni& d%&u#en!, %r ele&!r%ni& da!a #essae, 2i!h%u! rih!, in&ludin !he in!r%du&!i%n %r !rans#issi%n%' iruses.

Pe!i!i%ners &lai# !ha! "e&!i%n 5(a)(4) su''ers 'r%# %erbread!h in !ha!, 2hile i! see8s !% dis&%urae da!a

in!er'eren&e, i! in!rudes in!% !he area %' pr%!e&!ed spee&h and e>pressi%n, &rea!in a &hillin and de!erren! e''e&!

%n !hese uaran!eed 'reed%#s.

Under !he %erbread!h d%&!rine, a pr%per %ern#en!al purp%se, &%ns!i!u!i%nally sub/e&! !% s!a!e reula!i%n, #ayn%! be a&hieed by #eans !ha! unne&essarily s2eep i!s sub/e&! br%adly, !hereby inadin !he area %' pr%!e&!ed

'reed%#s.+ ;u! "e&!i%n 5(a)(4) d%es n%! en&r%a&h %n !hese 'reed%#s a! all. I! si#ply punishes 2ha! essen!ially isa '%r# %' andalis#, !he a&! %' 2ill'ully des!r%yin 2i!h%u! rih! !he !hins !ha! bel%n !% %!hers, in !his &ase

!heir &%#pu!er da!a, ele&!r%ni& d%&u#en!, %r ele&!r%ni& da!a #essae. "u&h a&! has n% &%nne&!i%n !% uaran!eed

'reed%#s. There is n% 'reed%# !% des!r%y %!her pe%ples &%#pu!er sys!e#s and pria!e d%&u#en!s.

All penal la2s, li8e !he &yber&ri#e la2, hae %' &%urse an inheren! &hillin e''e&!, an in !err%re# e''e&! 7 %r !he'ear %' p%ssible pr%se&u!i%n !ha! hans %n !he heads %' &i!i3ens 2h% are #inded !% s!ep bey%nd !he b%undaries

%' 2ha! is pr%per. ;u! !% preen! !he "!a!e 'r%# leisla!in &ri#inal la2s be&ause !hey ins!ill su&h 8ind %' 'ear is

!% render !he s!a!e p%2erless in addressin and penali3in s%&ially har#'ul &%ndu&!. 1* @ere, !he &hillin e''e&!

!ha! resul!s in paralysis is an illusi%n sin&e "e&!i%n 5(a)(4) &learly des&ribes !he eil !ha! i! see8s !% punish and&rea!es n% !enden&y !% in!i#ida!e !he 'ree e>er&ise %' %nes &%ns!i!u!i%nal rih!s.

;esides, !he %erbread!h &hallene pla&es %n pe!i!i%ners !he heay burden %' pr%in !ha! under n% se! %'

&ir&u#s!an&es 2ill "e&!i%n 5(a)(4) be alid.11 Pe!i!i%ner has 'ailed !% dis&hare !his burden.

"e&!i%n 5(a)(?) %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%n 5(a)(?) pr%ides0

"e&!i%n 5. $yber&ri#e O''enses. – The '%ll%2in a&!s &%ns!i!u!e !he %''ense %' &yber&ri#e punishable under !his

A&!0


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(?) $yber6s=ua!!in. – The a&=uisi!i%n %' d%#ain na#e %er !he in!erne! in bad 'ai!h !% pr%'i!, #islead, des!r%y!he repu!a!i%n, and deprie %!hers 'r%# reis!erin !he sa#e, i' su&h a d%#ain na#e is0

(i) "i#ilar, iden!i&al, %r &%n'usinly si#ilar !% an e>is!in !rade#ar8 reis!ered 2i!h !he appr%pria!e %ern#en!

aen&y a! !he !i#e %' !he d%#ain na#e reis!ra!i%n<

(ii) Iden!i&al %r in any 2ay si#ilar 2i!h !he na#e %' a pers%n %!her !han !he reis!ran!, in &ase %' a pers%nal

na#e< and

(iii) A&=uired 2i!h%u! rih! %r 2i!h in!elle&!ual pr%per!y in!eres!s in i!.

Pe!i!i%ners &lai# !ha! "e&!i%n 5(a)(?) %r &yber6s=ua!!in i%la!es !he e=ual pr%!e&!i%n &lause 1- in !ha!, n%! bein

narr%2ly !ail%red, i! 2ill &ause a user usin his real na#e !% su''er !he sa#e 'a!e as !h%se 2h% use aliases %r !a8e

!he na#e %' an%!her in sa!ire, par%dy, %r any %!her li!erary dei&e. F%r e>a#ple, supp%sin !here e>is!s a 2ell8n%2n billi%naire6philan!hr%pis! na#ed B9uli% Cand%l'%,B !he la2 2%uld punish '%r &yber6s=ua!!in b%!h !he
















pers%n 2h% reis!ers su&h na#e be&ause he &lai#s i! !% be his pseud%6na#e and an%!her 2h% reis!ers !he na#e

be&ause i! happens !% be his real na#e. Pe!i!i%ners &lai# !ha!, &%nsiderin !he subs!an!ial dis!in&!i%n be!2een !he!2%, !he la2 sh%uld re&%ni3e !he di''eren&e.

;u! !here is n% real di''eren&e 2he!her he uses B9uli% Cand%l'%B 2hi&h happens !% be his real na#e %r use i! as a

pseud%6na#e '%r i! is !he eil purp%se '%r 2hi&h he uses !he na#e !ha! !he la2 &%nde#ns. The la2 is reas%nable

in penali3in hi# '%r a&=uirin !he d%#ain na#e in bad 'ai!h !% pr%'i!, #islead, des!r%y repu!a!i%n, %r deprie%!hers 2h% are n%! ill6#%!ia!ed %' !he rih!'ul %pp%r!uni!y %' reis!erin !he sa#e. The &hallene !% !he

&%ns!i!u!i%nali!y %' "e&!i%n 5(a)(?) %n r%und %' denial %' e=ual pr%!e&!i%n is baseless.

"e&!i%n 5(b)(4) %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%n 5(b)(4) pr%ides0


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b) $%#pu!er6rela!ed O''enses0

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(4) $%#pu!er6rela!ed Iden!i!y The'!. – The in!en!i%nal a&=uisi!i%n, use, #isuse, !rans'er, p%ssessi%n, al!era!i%n,%r dele!i%n %' iden!i'yin in'%r#a!i%n bel%nin !% an%!her, 2he!her na!ural %r /uridi&al, 2i!h%u! rih!

Pr%ided0 !ha! i' n% da#ae has ye! been &aused, !he penal!y i#p%sable shall be %ne (1) deree l%2er.

Pe!i!i%ners &lai# !ha! "e&!i%n 5(b)(4) i%la!es !he &%ns!i!u!i%nal rih!s !% due pr%&ess and !% pria&y and

&%rresp%nden&e, and !ransresses !he 'reed%# %' !he press.

The rih! !% pria&y, %r !he rih! !% be le! al%ne, 2as ins!i!u!i%nali3ed in !he 17+ $%ns!i!u!i%n as a 'a&e! %' !herih! pr%!e&!ed by !he uaran!ee aains! unreas%nable sear&hes and sei3ures.14 ;u! !he $%ur! a&8n%2leded i!s

e>is!en&e as early as 17? in M%r'e . Mu!u&, 15 i! ruled !ha! !he rih! !% pria&y e>is!s independen!ly %' i!s

iden!i'i&a!i%n 2i!h liber!y< i! is in i!sel' 'ully deserin %' &%ns!i!u!i%nal pr%!e&!i%n.

elean! !% any dis&ussi%n %' !he rih! !% pria&y is !he &%n&ep! 8n%2n as !he B%nes %' Pria&y.B The $%ur!

e>plained in BIn !he Ma!!er %' !he Pe!i!i%n '%r Issuan&e %' ri! %' @abeas $%rpus %' "abi% . "ena!%r

C%rd%nB1 !he relean&e %' !hese 3%nes !% !he rih! !% pria&y0

%nes %' pria&y are re&%ni3ed and pr%!e&!ed in %ur la2s. i!hin !hese 3%nes, any '%r# %' in!rusi%n isi#per#issible unless e>&used by la2 and in a&&%rdan&e 2i!h &us!%#ary leal pr%&ess. The #e!i&ul%us reard

2e a&&%rd !% !hese 3%nes arises n%! %nly 'r%# %ur &%ni&!i%n !ha! !he rih! !% pria&y is a B&%ns!i!u!i%nal rih!Band B!he rih! #%s! alued by &iili3ed #en,B bu! als% 'r%# %ur adheren&e !% !he Uniersal De&lara!i%n %'

@u#an ih!s 2hi&h #anda!es !ha!, Bn% %ne shall be sub/e&!ed !% arbi!rary in!er'eren&e 2i!h his pria&yB andBeery%ne has !he rih! !% !he pr%!e&!i%n %' !he la2 aains! su&h in!er'eren&e %r a!!a&8s.B

T2% &%ns!i!u!i%nal uaran!ees &rea!e !hese 3%nes %' pria&y0 (a) !he rih! aains! unreas%nable sear&hes1? and

sei3ures, 2hi&h is !he basis %' !he rih! !% be le! al%ne, and (b) !he rih! !% pria&y %' &%##uni&a!i%n and&%rresp%nden&e.1+ In assessin !he &hallene !ha! !he "!a!e has i#per#issibly in!ruded in!% !hese 3%nes %'

pria&y, a &%ur! #us! de!er#ine 2he!her a pers%n has e>hibi!ed a reas%nable e>pe&!a!i%n %' pria&y and, i' s%

2he!her !ha! e>pe&!a!i%n has been i%la!ed by unreas%nable %ern#en! in!rusi%n.1
















The usual iden!i'yin in'%r#a!i%n reardin a pers%n in&ludes his na#e, his &i!i3enship, his residen&e address

his &%n!a&! nu#ber, his pla&e and da!e %' bir!h, !he na#e %' his sp%use i' any, his %&&upa!i%n, and si#ilarda!a.17 The la2 punishes !h%se 2h% a&=uire %r use su&h iden!i'yin in'%r#a!i%n 2i!h%u! rih!, i#pli&i!ly !% &ause

da#ae. Pe!i!i%ners si#ply 'ail !% sh%2 h%2 %ern#en! e''%r! !% &urb &%#pu!er6rela!ed iden!i!y !he'! i%la!es

!he rih! !% pria&y and &%rresp%nden&e as 2ell as !he rih! !% due pr%&ess %' la2.

Als%, !he &hare %' inalidi!y %' !his se&!i%n based %n !he %erbread!h d%&!rine 2ill n%! h%ld 2a!er sin&e !hespe&i'i& &%ndu&!s pr%s&ribed d% n%! in!rude in!% uaran!eed 'reed%#s li8e spee&h. $learly, 2ha! !his se&!i%n

reula!es are spe&i'i& a&!i%ns0 !he a&=uisi!i%n, use, #isuse %r dele!i%n %' pers%nal iden!i'yin da!a %' an%!herThere is n% 'unda#en!al rih! !% a&=uire an%!hers pers%nal da!a.

Fur!her, pe!i!i%ners 'ear !ha! "e&!i%n 5(b)(4) i%la!es !he 'reed%# %' !he press in !ha! /%urnalis!s 2%uld be

hindered 'r%# a&&essin !he unres!ri&!ed user a&&%un! %' a pers%n in !he ne2s !% se&ure in'%r#a!i%n ab%u! hi#

!ha! &%uld be published. ;u! !his is n%! !he essen&e %' iden!i!y !he'! !ha! !he la2 see8s !% pr%hibi! and punish.

Eiden!ly, !he !he'! %' iden!i!y in'%r#a!i%n #us! be in!ended '%r an illei!i#a!e purp%se. M%re%er, a&=uirinand disse#ina!in in'%r#a!i%n #ade publi& by !he user hi#sel' &ann%! be rearded as a '%r# %' !he'!.

The $%ur! has de'ined in!en! !% ain as an in!ernal a&! 2hi&h &an be es!ablished !hr%uh !he %er! a&!s %' !he

%''ender, and i! #ay be presu#ed 'r%# !he 'ur!ie !a8in %' use'ul pr%per!y per!ainin !% an%!her, unless spe&ial

&ir&u#s!an&es reeal a di''eren! in!en! %n !he par! %' !he perpe!ra!%r.-* As su&h, !he press, 2he!her in =ues! %'ne2s rep%r!in %r s%&ial ines!ia!i%n, has n%!hin !% 'ear sin&e a spe&ial &ir&u#s!an&e is presen! !% nea!e

in!en! !% ain 2hi&h is re=uired by !his "e&!i%n.

"e&!i%n 5(&)(1) %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%n 5(&)(1) pr%ides0

"e&. 5. $yber&ri#e O''enses.– The '%ll%2in a&!s &%ns!i!u!e !he %''ense %' &yber&ri#e punishable under !hisA&!0

> > > >

(&) $%n!en!6rela!ed O''enses0

(1) $yberse>.– The 2ill'ul enae#en!, #ain!enan&e, &%n!r%l, %r %pera!i%n, dire&!ly %r indire&!ly, %' any

las&ii%us e>hibi!i%n %' se>ual %rans %r se>ual a&!ii!y, 2i!h !he aid %' a &%#pu!er sys!e#, '%r 'a%r %r&%nsidera!i%n.

Pe!i!i%ners &lai# !ha! !he ab%e i%la!es !he 'reed%# %' e>pressi%n &lause %' !he $%ns!i!u!i%n. -1 They e>press

'ear !ha! pria!e &%##uni&a!i%ns %' se>ual &hara&!er be!2een husband and 2i'e %r &%nsen!in adul!s, 2hi&h aren%! rearded as &ri#es under !he penal &%de, 2%uld n%2 be rearded as &ri#es 2hen d%ne B'%r 'a%rB in

&yberspa&e. In &%##%n usae, !he !er# B'a%rB in&ludes Bra&i%us 8indness,B Ba spe&ial priilee %r rih!ran!ed %r &%n&eded,B %r Ba !%8en %' l%e (as a ribb%n) usually 2%rn &%nspi&u%usly.B-- This #eanin ien !%

!he !er# B'a%rB e#bra&es s%&ially !%lera!ed !rys!s. The la2 as 2ri!!en 2%uld ini!e la2 en'%r&e#en! aen&iesin!% !he bedr%%#s %' #arried &%uples %r &%nsen!in indiiduals.

;u! !he delibera!i%ns %' !he ;i&a#eral $%##i!!ee %' $%nress %n !his se&!i%n %' !he $yber&ri#e Preen!i%n A&!

ie a pr%per perspe&!ie %n !he issue. These delibera!i%ns sh%2 a la&8 %' in!en! !% penali3e a Bpria!e sh%2in

> > > be!2een and a#%n !2% pria!e pers%ns > > > al!h%uh !ha! #ay be a '%r# %' %bs&eni!y !% s%#e.B -4 Theunders!andin %' !h%se 2h% dre2 up !he &yber&ri#e la2 is !ha! !he ele#en! %' Benain in a businessB is

ne&essary !% &%ns!i!u!e !he illeal &yberse>.-5 The A&! a&!ually see8s !% punish &yber pr%s!i!u!i%n, 2hi!e slae
















!rade, and p%rn%raphy '%r 'a%r and &%nsidera!i%n. This in&ludes in!era&!ie pr%s!i!u!i%n and p%rn%raphy, i.e.

by 2eb&a#.-

The sub/e&! %' "e&!i%n 5(&)(1)las&ii%us e>hibi!i%n %' se>ual %rans %r se>ual a&!ii!yis n%! n%el. Ar!i&le

-*1 %' !he P$ punishes B%bs&ene publi&a!i%ns and e>hibi!i%ns and inde&en! sh%2s.B The An!i6Tra''i&8in in

Pers%ns A&! %' -**4 penali3es !h%se 2h% B#ain!ain %r hire a pers%n !% enae in pr%s!i!u!i%n %r

p%rn%raphy.B-? The la2 de'ines pr%s!i!u!i%n as any a&!, !ransa&!i%n, s&he#e, %r desin in%lin !he use %' a pers%n by an%!her, '%r se>ual in!er&%urse %r las&ii%us &%ndu&! in e>&hane '%r #%ney, pr%'i!, %r any %!her

&%nsidera!i%n.-+

The &ase %' N%ales . Pe%ple- sh%2s !he e>!en! !% 2hi&h !he "!a!e &an reula!e #a!erials !ha! sere n% %!her purp%se !han sa!is'y !he #ar8e! '%r i%len&e, lus!, %r p%rn%raphy.-7 The $%ur! 2eihed !he pr%per!y rih!s %'

indiiduals aains! !he publi& 2el'are. Pria!e pr%per!y, i' &%n!ainin p%rn%raphi& #a!erials, #ay be '%r'ei!ed

and des!r%yed. Li8e2ise, enain in se>ual a&!s pria!ely !hr%uh in!erne! &%nne&!i%n, per&eied by s%#e as a

rih!, has !% be balan&ed 2i!h !he #anda!e %' !he "!a!e !% eradi&a!e 2hi!e slaery and !he e>pl%i!a!i%n %' 2%#en

In any een!, &%nsen!in adul!s are pr%!e&!ed by !he 2eal!h %' /urispruden&e delinea!in !he b%unds %'

%bs&eni!y.4* The $%ur! 2ill n%! de&lare "e&!i%n 5(&)(1) un&%ns!i!u!i%nal 2here i! s!ands a &%ns!ru&!i%n !ha!

#a8es i! apply %nly !% pers%ns enaed in !he business %' #ain!ainin, &%n!r%llin, %r %pera!in, dire&!ly %r

indire&!ly, !he las&ii%us e>hibi!i%n %' se>ual %rans %r se>ual a&!ii!y 2i!h !he aid %' a &%#pu!er sys!e# as$%nress has in!ended.

"e&!i%n 5(&)(-) %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%n 5(&)(-) pr%ides0

"e&. 5. $yber&ri#e O''enses. – The '%ll%2in a&!s &%ns!i!u!e !he %''ense %' &yber&ri#e punishable under !his

A&!0

> > > >


> > > >

(-) $hild P%rn%raphy. The unla2'ul %r pr%hibi!ed a&!s de'ined and punishable by epubli& A&! N%. 7++ %r

!he An!i6$hild P%rn%raphy A&! %' -**7, &%##i!!ed !hr%uh a &%#pu!er sys!e#0 Pr%ided, Tha! !he penal!y !% be i#p%sed shall be (1) %ne deree hiher !han !ha! pr%ided '%r in epubli& A&! N%. 7++.

I! see#s !ha! !he ab%e #erely e>pands !he s&%pe %' !he An!i6$hild P%rn%raphy A&! %' -**7 41 (A$PA) !% &%er

iden!i&al a&!ii!ies in &yberspa&e. In !he%ry, n%!hin preen!s !he %ern#en! 'r%# in%8in !he A$PA 2hen

pr%se&u!in pers%ns 2h% &%##i! &hild p%rn%raphy usin a &%#pu!er sys!e#. A&!ually, A$PAs de'ini!i%n %'&hild p%rn%raphy already e#bra&es !he use %' Bele&!r%ni&, #e&hani&al, dii!al, %p!i&al, #ane!i& %r any %!her

#eans.B N%!ably, n% %ne has =ues!i%ned !his A$PA pr%isi%n.

O' &%urse, !he la2 #a8es !he penal!y hiher by %ne deree 2hen !he &ri#e is &%##i!!ed in &yberspa&e. ;u! n%

%ne &an &%#plain sin&e !he in!ensi!y %r dura!i%n %' penal!y is a leisla!ie prer%a!ie and !here is ra!i%nal basis'%r su&h hiher penal!y.4- The p%!en!ial '%r un&%n!r%lled pr%li'era!i%n %' a par!i&ular pie&e %' &hild p%rn%raphy

2hen upl%aded in !he &yberspa&e is in&al&ulable.




















Pe!i!i%ners p%in! %u! !ha! !he pr%isi%n %' A$PA !ha! #a8es i! unla2'ul '%r any pers%n !% Bpr%du&e, dire&!

#anu'a&!ure %r &rea!e any '%r# %' &hild p%rn%raphyB44 &learly rela!es !% !he pr%se&u!i%n %' pers%ns 2h% aidand abe! !he &%re %''enses !ha! A$PA see8s !% punish. 45 Pe!i!i%ners are 2ary !ha! a pers%n 2h% #erely d%%dles

%n paper and i#aines a se>ual abuse %' a 1?6year6%ld is n%! &ri#inally liable '%r pr%du&in &hild p%rn%raphy

bu! %ne 2h% '%r#ula!es !he idea %n his lap!%p 2%uld be. Fur!her, i' !he au!h%r b%un&es %'' his ideas %n T2i!!erany%ne 2h% replies !% !he !2ee! &%uld be &%nsidered aidin and abe!!in a &yber&ri#e.

The =ues!i%n %' aidin and abe!!in !he %''ense by si#ply &%##en!in %n i! 2ill be dis&ussed else2here bel%2

F%r n%2 !he $%ur! #us! h%ld !ha! !he &%ns!i!u!i%nali!y %' "e&!i%n 5(&)(-) is n%! su&&ess'ully &hallened.

"e&!i%n 5(&)(4) %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%n 5(&)(4) pr%ides0

"e&. 5. $yber&ri#e O''enses. – The '%ll%2in a&!s &%ns!i!u!e !he %''ense %' &yber&ri#e punishable under !hisA&!0

> > > >


> > > >

(4) Uns%li&i!ed $%##er&ial $%##uni&a!i%ns. – The !rans#issi%n %' &%##er&ial ele&!r%ni& &%##uni&a!i%n2i!h !he use %' &%#pu!er sys!e# 2hi&h see8s !% ader!ise, sell, %r %''er '%r sale pr%du&!s and seri&es are

pr%hibi!ed unless0

(i) There is pri%r a''ir#a!ie &%nsen! 'r%# !he re&ipien!< %r

(ii) The pri#ary in!en! %' !he &%##uni&a!i%n is '%r seri&e andG%r ad#inis!ra!ie ann%un&e#en!s 'r%# !he

sender !% i!s e>is!in users, subs&ribers %r &us!%#ers< %r

(iii) The '%ll%2in &%ndi!i%ns are presen!0

(aa) The &%##er&ial ele&!r%ni& &%##uni&a!i%n &%n!ains a si#ple, alid, and reliable 2ay '%r !he re&ipien! !%

re/e&! re&eip! %' 'ur!her &%##er&ial ele&!r%ni& #essaes (%p!6%u!) 'r%# !he sa#e s%ur&e<

(bb) The &%##er&ial ele&!r%ni& &%##uni&a!i%n d%es n%! purp%sely disuise !he s%ur&e %' !he ele&!r%ni&#essae< and

(&&) The &%##er&ial ele&!r%ni& &%##uni&a!i%n d%es n%! purp%sely in&lude #isleadin in'%r#a!i%n in any par!

%' !he #essae in %rder !% indu&e !he re&ipien!s !% read !he #essae.

The ab%e penali3es !he !rans#issi%n %' uns%li&i!ed &%##er&ial &%##uni&a!i%ns, als% 8n%2n as Bspa#.B The

!er# Bspa#B sur'a&ed in early in!erne! &ha! r%%#s and in!era&!ie 'an!asy a#es. One 2h% repea!s !he sa#esen!en&e %r &%##en! 2as said !% be #a8in a Bspa#.B The !er# re'erred !% a M%n!y Py!h%ns Flyin $ir&us

s&ene in 2hi&h a&!%rs 2%uld 8eep sayin B"pa#, "pa#, "pa#, and "pa#B 2hen readin %p!i%ns 'r%# a #enu.4

The C%ern#en!, represen!ed by !he "%li&i!%r Ceneral, p%in!s %u! !ha! uns%li&i!ed &%##er&ial &%##uni&a!i%ns

%r spa#s are a nuisan&e !ha! 2as!es !he s!%rae and ne!2%r8 &apa&i!ies %' in!erne! seri&e pr%iders, redu&es !hee''i&ien&y %' &%##er&e and !e&hn%l%y, and in!er'eres 2i!h !he %2ners pea&e'ul en/%y#en! %' his pr%per!y.









Trans#i!!in spa#s a#%un!s !% !respass !% %nes pria&y sin&e !he pers%n sendin %u! spa#s en!ers !he

re&ipien!s d%#ain 2i!h%u! pri%r per#issi%n. The O"C &%n!ends !ha! &%##er&ial spee&h en/%ys less pr%!e&!i%nin la2.

;u!, 'irs!ly, !he %ern#en! presen!s n% basis '%r h%ldin !ha! uns%li&i!ed ele&!r%ni& ads redu&e !he Be''i&ien&y

%' &%#pu!ers.B "e&%ndly, pe%ple, be'%re !he arrial %' !he ae %' &%#pu!ers, hae already been re&eiin su&h

uns%li&i!ed ads by #ail. These hae neer been %u!la2ed as nuisan&e sin&e pe%ple #ih! hae in!eres! in su&hads. ha! #a!!ers is !ha! !he re&ipien! has !he %p!i%n %' n%! %penin %r readin !hese #ail ads. Tha! is !rue 2i!h

spa#s. Their re&ipien!s al2ays hae !he %p!i%n !% dele!e %r n%! !% read !he#.

T% pr%hibi! !he !rans#issi%n %' uns%li&i!ed ads 2%uld deny a pers%n !he rih! !% read his e#ails, een uns%li&i!ed&%##er&ial ads addressed !% hi#. $%##er&ial spee&h is a separa!e &a!e%ry %' spee&h 2hi&h is n%! a&&%rded

!he sa#e leel %' pr%!e&!i%n as !ha! ien !% %!her &%ns!i!u!i%nally uaran!eed '%r#s %' e>pressi%n bu! is

n%ne!heless en!i!led !% pr%!e&!i%n.4? The "!a!e &ann%! r%b hi# %' !his rih! 2i!h%u! i%la!in !he &%ns!i!u!i%nally

uaran!eed 'reed%# %' e>pressi%n. Uns%li&i!ed ader!ise#en!s are lei!i#a!e '%r#s %' e>pressi%n.

Ar!i&les 44, 45, and 4 %' !he Penal $%de

"e&!i%n 5(&)(5) %' !he $yber $ri#e La2

Pe!i!i%ners dispu!e !he &%ns!i!u!i%nali!y %' b%!h !he penal &%de pr%isi%ns %n libel as 2ell as "e&!i%n 5(&)(5) %'

!he $yber&ri#e Preen!i%n A&! %n &yberlibel.

The P$ pr%isi%ns %n libel read0

Ar!. 44. De'ini!i%n %' libel. A libel is publi& and #ali&i%us i#pu!a!i%n %' a &ri#e, %r %' a i&e %r de'e&!, real%r i#ainary, %r any a&!, %#issi%n, &%ndi!i%n, s!a!us, %r &ir&u#s!an&e !endin !% &ause !he dish%n%r, dis&redi!, %r

&%n!e#p! %' a na!ural %r /uridi&al pers%n, %r !% bla&8en !he #e#%ry %' %ne 2h% is dead.

Ar!. 45. e=uire#en! '%r publi&i!y. Eery de'a#a!%ry i#pu!a!i%n is presu#ed !% be #ali&i%us, een i' i! be

!rue, i' n% %%d in!en!i%n and /us!i'iable #%!ie '%r #a8in i! is sh%2n, e>&ep! in !he '%ll%2in &ases0

1. A pria!e &%##uni&a!i%n #ade by any pers%n !% an%!her in !he per'%r#an&e %' any leal, #%ral %r s%&ial

du!y< and

-. A 'air and !rue rep%r!, #ade in %%d 'ai!h, 2i!h%u! any &%##en!s %r re#ar8s, %' any /udi&ial, leisla!ie %r

%!her %''i&ial pr%&eedins 2hi&h are n%! %' &%n'iden!ial na!ure, %r %' any s!a!e#en!, rep%r! %r spee&h deliered insaid pr%&eedins, %r %' any %!her a&! per'%r#ed by publi& %''i&ers in !he e>er&ise %' !heir 'un&!i%ns.

Ar!. 4. Libel #eans by 2ri!ins %r si#ilar #eans. A libel &%##i!!ed by #eans %' 2ri!in, prin!in,

li!h%raphy, enrain, radi%, ph%n%raph, pain!in, !hea!ri&al e>hibi!i%n, &ine#a!%raphi& e>hibi!i%n, %r any

si#ilar #eans, shall be punished by prisi%n &%rre&&i%nal in i!s #ini#u# and #ediu# peri%ds %r a 'ine ranin'r%# -** !% ?,*** pes%s, %r b%!h, in addi!i%n !% !he &iil a&!i%n 2hi&h #ay be br%uh! by !he %''ended par!y.

The libel pr%isi%n %' !he &yber&ri#e la2, %n !he %!her hand, #erely in&%rp%ra!es !% '%r# par! %' i! !he

pr%isi%ns %' !he P$ %n libel. Thus "e&!i%n 5(&)(5) reads0

"e&. 5. $yber&ri#e O''enses. The '%ll%2in a&!s &%ns!i!u!e !he %''ense %' &yber&ri#e punishable under !hisA&!0

> > > >






> > > >

(5) Libel. The unla2'ul %r pr%hibi!ed a&!s %' libel as de'ined in Ar!i&le 4 %' !he eised Penal $%de, asa#ended, &%##i!!ed !hr%uh a &%#pu!er sys!e# %r any %!her si#ilar #eans 2hi&h #ay be deised in !he 'u!ure.

Pe!i!i%ners la#en! !ha! libel pr%isi%ns %' !he penal &%de4+ and, in e''e&!, !he libel pr%isi%ns %' !he &yber&ri#e

la2 &arry 2i!h !he# !he re=uire#en! %' Bpresu#ed #ali&eB een 2hen !he la!es! /urispruden&e already repla&esi! 2i!h !he hiher s!andard %' Ba&!ual #ali&eB as a basis '%r &%ni&!i%n. 4 Pe!i!i%ners arue !ha! in'errinBpresu#ed #ali&eB 'r%# !he a&&useds de'a#a!%ry s!a!e#en! by ir!ue %' Ar!i&le 45 %' !he penal &%de in'rines

%n his &%ns!i!u!i%nally uaran!eed 'reed%# %' e>pressi%n.

Pe!i!i%ners 2%uld % 'ur!her. They &%n!end !ha! !he la2s %n libel sh%uld be s!ri&8en d%2n as un&%ns!i!u!i%nal '%r

%!her2ise %%d /urispruden&e re=uirin Ba&!ual #ali&eB &%uld easily be %er!urned as !he $%ur! has d%ne inFer#in . Pe%ple47 een 2here !he %''ended par!ies happened !% be publi& 'iures.

The ele#en!s %' libel are0 (a) !he allea!i%n %' a dis&redi!able a&! %r &%ndi!i%n &%n&ernin an%!her< (b

publi&a!i%n %' !he &hare< (&) iden!i!y %' !he pers%n de'a#ed< and (d) e>is!en&e %' #ali&e.5*

There is Ba&!ual #ali&eB %r #ali&e in 'a&!51 2hen !he %''ender #a8es !he de'a#a!%ry s!a!e#en! 2i!h !he8n%2lede !ha! i! is 'alse %r 2i!h re&8less disreard %' 2he!her i! 2as 'alse %r n%!. 5- The re&8less disreard

s!andard used here re=uires a hih deree %' a2areness %' pr%bable 'alsi!y. There #us! be su''i&ien! eiden&e !%

per#i! !he &%n&lusi%n !ha! !he a&&used in 'a&! en!er!ained seri%us d%ub!s as !% !he !ru!h %' !he s!a!e#en! he published. Cr%ss %r een e>!re#e nelien&e is n%! su''i&ien! !% es!ablish a&!ual #ali&e.54

The pr%se&u!i%n bears !he burden %' pr%in !he presen&e %' a&!ual #ali&e in ins!an&es 2here su&h ele#en! is

re=uired !% es!ablish uil!. The de'ense %' absen&e %' a&!ual #ali&e, een 2hen !he s!a!e#en! !urns %u! !% be

'alse, is aailable 2here !he %''ended par!y is a publi& %''i&ial %r a publi& 'iure, as in !he &ases %' Has=ue3 (a baranay %''i&ial) and ;%r/al (!he E>e&u!ie Dire&!%r, Firs! Na!i%nal $%n'eren&e %n Land Transp%r!a!i%n). "in&e

!he penal &%de and i#pli&i!ly, !he &yber&ri#e la2, #ainly !are! libel aains! pria!e pers%ns, !he $%ur!re&%ni3es !ha! !hese la2s i#ply a s!ri&!er s!andard %' B#ali&eB !% &%ni&! !he au!h%r %' a de'a#a!%ry s!a!e#en!2here !he %''ended par!y is a publi& 'iure. "%&ie!ys in!eres! and !he #ain!enan&e %' %%d %ern#en! de#and

a 'ull dis&ussi%n %' publi& a''airs.55

Paren!he!i&ally, !he $%ur! &ann%! a&&ep! !he pr%p%si!i%n !ha! i!s rulin in Fer#in disrearded !he hiher s!andard

%' a&!ual #ali&e %r #ali&e in 'a&! 2hen i! '%und $ris!inelli Fer#in uil!y %' &%##i!!in libel aains!&%#plainan!s 2h% 2ere publi& 'iures. A&!ually, !he $%ur! '%und !he presen&e %' #ali&e in 'a&! in !ha! &ase.

Thus0

I! &an be leaned 'r%# her !es!i#%ny !ha! pe!i!i%ner had !he #%!ie !% #a8e de'a#a!%ry i#pu!a!i%ns aains!

&%#plainan!s. Thus, pe!i!i%ner &ann%!, by si#ply #a8in a eneral denial, &%nin&e us !ha! !here 2as n% #ali&e%n her par!. Herily, n%! %nly 2as !here #ali&e in la2, !he ar!i&le bein #ali&i%us in i!sel', bu! !here 2as als%

#ali&e in 'a&!, as !here 2as #%!ie !% !al8 ill aains! &%#plainan!s durin !he ele&!%ral &a#pain. (E#phasis

%urs)

Indeed, !he $%ur! !%%8 in!% a&&%un! !he rela!iely 2ide lee2ay ien !% u!!eran&es aains! publi& 'iures in !heab%e &ase, &ine#a and !eleisi%n pers%nali!ies, 2hen i! #%di'ied !he penal!y %' i#pris%n#en! !% /us! a 'ine

%' P?,***.**.




















;u!, 2here !he %''ended par!y is a pria!e indiidual, !he pr%se&u!i%n need n%! pr%e !he presen&e %' #ali&e. The

la2 e>pli&i!ly presu#es i!s e>is!en&e (#ali&e in la2) 'r%# !he de'a#a!%ry &hara&!er %' !he assaileds!a!e#en!.5F%r his de'ense, !he a&&used #us! sh%2 !ha! he has a /us!i'iable reas%n '%r !he de'a#a!%ry s!a!e#en!

een i' i! 2as in 'a&! !rue.5?

Pe!i!i%ners peddle !he ie2 !ha! b%!h !he penal &%de and !he $yber&ri#e Preen!i%n A&! i%la!e !he &%un!rys

%blia!i%ns under !he In!erna!i%nal $%enan! %' $iil and P%li!i&al ih!s (I$$P). They p%in! %u! !ha! inAd%nis . epubli& %' !he Philippines,5+ !he Uni!ed Na!i%ns @u#an ih!s $%##i!!ee (UN@$) &i!ed i!s

Ceneral $%##en! 45 !% !he e''e&! !ha! penal de'a#a!i%n la2s sh%uld in&lude !he de'ense %' !ru!h.

;u! Ceneral $%##en! 45 d%es n%! say !ha! !he !ru!h %' !he de'a#a!%ry s!a!e#en! sh%uld &%ns!i!u!e an all6en&%#passin de'ense. As i! happens, Ar!i&le 4?1 re&%ni3es !ru!h as a de'ense bu! under !he &%ndi!i%n !ha! !he

a&&used has been pr%#p!ed in #a8in !he s!a!e#en! by %%d #%!ies and '%r /us!i'iable ends. Thus0

Ar!. 4?1. Pr%%' %' !he !ru!h. In eery &ri#inal pr%se&u!i%n '%r libel, !he !ru!h #ay be ien in eiden&e !% !he

&%ur! and i' i! appears !ha! !he #a!!er &hared as libel%us is !rue, and, #%re%er, !ha! i! 2as published 2i!h %%d#%!ies and '%r /us!i'iable ends, !he de'endan!s shall be a&=ui!!ed.

Pr%%' %' !he !ru!h %' an i#pu!a!i%n %' an a&! %r %#issi%n n%! &%ns!i!u!in a &ri#e shall n%! be ad#i!!ed, unless

!he i#pu!a!i%n shall hae been #ade aains! C%ern#en! e#pl%yees 2i!h respe&! !% 'a&!s rela!ed !% !hedis&hare %' !heir %''i&ial du!ies.

In su&h &ases i' !he de'endan! pr%es !he !ru!h %' !he i#pu!a!i%n #ade by hi#, he shall be a&=ui!!ed.

;esides, !he UN@$ did n%! a&!ually en/%in !he Philippines, as pe!i!i%ners ure, !% de&ri#inali3e libel. I! si#ply

sues!ed !ha! de'a#a!i%n la2s be &ra'!ed 2i!h &are !% ensure !ha! !hey d% n%! s!i'le 'reed%# %

e>pressi%n.5Indeed, !he I$$P s!a!es !ha! al!h%uh eery%ne sh%uld en/%y 'reed%# %' e>pressi%n, i!s e>er&ise

&arries 2i!h i! spe&ial du!ies and resp%nsibili!ies. Free spee&h is n%! abs%lu!e. I! is sub/e&! !% &er!ain res!ri&!i%ns,as #ay be ne&essary and as #ay be pr%ided by la2.57

The $%ur! arees 2i!h !he "%li&i!%r Ceneral !ha! libel is n%! a &%ns!i!u!i%nally pr%!e&!ed spee&h and !ha! !he%ern#en! has an %blia!i%n !% pr%!e&! pria!e indiiduals 'r%# de'a#a!i%n. Indeed, &yberlibel is a&!ually n%! ane2 &ri#e sin&e Ar!i&le 44, in rela!i%n !% Ar!i&le 4 %' !he penal &%de, already punishes i!. In e''e&!, "e&!i%n

5(&)(5) ab%e #erely a''ir#s !ha! %nline de'a#a!i%n &%ns!i!u!es Bsi#ilar #eansB '%r &%##i!!in libel.

;u! !he $%ur!s a&=uies&en&e %es %nly ins%'ar as !he &yber&ri#e la2 penali3es !he au!h%r %' !he libel%us

s!a!e#en! %r ar!i&le. $yberlibel brins 2i!h i! &er!ain in!ri&a&ies, unheard %' 2hen !he penal &%de pr%isi%ns %nlibel 2ere ena&!ed. The &ul!ure ass%&ia!ed 2i!h in!erne! #edia is dis!in&! 'r%# !ha! %' prin!.

The in!erne! is &hara&!eri3ed as en&%urain a 'ree2heelin, any!hin6%es 2ri!in s!yle. * In a sense, !hey are a

2%rld apar! in !er#s %' =ui&8ness %' !he readers rea&!i%n !% de'a#a!%ry s!a!e#en!s p%s!ed in &yberspa&e

'a&ili!a!ed by %ne6&li&8 reply %p!i%ns %''ered by !he ne!2%r8in si!e as 2ell as by !he speed 2i!h 2hi&h su&hrea&!i%ns are disse#ina!ed d%2n !he line !% %!her in!erne! users. he!her !hese rea&!i%ns !% de'a#a!%ry

s!a!e#en! p%s!ed %n !he in!erne! &%ns!i!u!e aidin and abe!!in libel, a&!s !ha! "e&!i%n %' !he &yber&ri#e la2

punishes, is an%!her #a!!er !ha! !he $%ur! 2ill deal 2i!h ne>! in rela!i%n !% "e&!i%n %' !he la2.

"e&!i%n %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%n pr%ides0

"e&. . O!her O''enses. The '%ll%2in a&!s shall als% &%ns!i!u!e an %''ense0
















(a) Aidin %r Abe!!in in !he $%##issi%n %' $yber&ri#e. – Any pers%n 2h% 2ill'ully abe!s %r aids in !he

&%##issi%n %' any %' !he %''enses enu#era!ed in !his A&! shall be held liable.

(b) A!!e#p! in !he $%##issi%n %' $yber&ri#e. Any pers%n 2h% 2ill'ully a!!e#p!s !% &%##i! any %' !he

%''enses enu#era!ed in !his A&! shall be held liable.

Pe!i!i%ners assail !he &%ns!i!u!i%nali!y %' "e&!i%n !ha! renders &ri#inally liable any pers%n 2h% 2ill'ully abe!s

%r aids in !he &%##issi%n %r a!!e#p!s !% &%##i! any %' !he %''enses enu#era!ed as &yber&ri#es. I! su''ers 'r%#

%erbread!h, &rea!in a &hillin and de!erren! e''e&! %n pr%!e&!ed e>pressi%n.

The "%li&i!%r Ceneral &%n!ends, h%2eer, !ha! !he &urren! b%dy %' /urispruden&e and la2s %n aidin and abe!!in

su''i&ien!ly pr%!e&!s !he 'reed%# %' e>pressi%n %' Bne!i3ens,B !he #ul!i!ude !ha! aail !he#seles %' !he seri&es

%' !he in!erne!. @e p%in!s %u! !ha! e>is!in la2s and /urispruden&e su''i&ien!ly delinea!e !he #eanin %' Baidin%r abe!!inB a &ri#e as !% pr%!e&! !he inn%&en!. The "%li&i!%r Ceneral arues !ha! plain, %rdinary, and &%##%n

usae is a! !i#es su''i&ien! !% uide la2 en'%r&e#en! aen&ies in en'%r&in !he la2. 1 The leisla!ure is n%

re=uired !% de'ine eery sinle 2%rd &%n!ained in !he la2s !hey &ra'!.

Aidin %r abe!!in has %' &%urse 2ell6de'ined #eanin and appli&a!i%n in e>is!in la2s. hen a pers%n aids %rabe!s an%!her in des!r%yin a '%res!,- s#ulin #er&handise in!% !he &%un!ry,4 %r in!er'erin in !he pea&e'u

pi&8e!in %' lab%rers,5 his a&!i%n is essen!ially physi&al and s% is sus&ep!ible !% easy assess#en! as &ri#inal in&hara&!er. These '%r#s %' aidin %r abe!!in lend !he#seles !% !he !es!s %' &%##%n sense and hu#ane>perien&e.

;u!, 2hen i! &%#es !% &er!ain &yber&ri#es, !he 2a!ers are #uddier and !he line %' sih! is s%#e2ha! blurred.

The idea %' Baidin %r abe!!inB 2r%nd%ins %nline !hrea!ens !he here!%'%re p%pular and un&hallened d%#as

%' &yberspa&e use.

A&&%rdin !% !he -*11 "%u!heas! Asia Dii!al $%nsu#er ep%r!, 44 %' Filipin%s hae a&&essed !he in!erne!2i!hin a year, !ransla!in !% ab%u! 41 #illi%n users. ;ased %n a re&en! surey, !he Philippines ran8s ?!h in !he

!%p 1* #%s! enaed &%un!ries '%r s%&ial ne!2%r8in. ? "%&ial ne!2%r8in si!es build s%&ial rela!i%ns a#%n

pe%ple 2h%, '%r e>a#ple, share in!eres!s, a&!ii!ies, ba&8r%unds, %r real6li'e &%nne&!i%ns.+

T2% %' !he #%s! p%pular %' !hese si!es are Fa&eb%%8 and T2i!!er. As %' la!e -*1-, 1.- billi%n pe%ple 2i!h shared

in!eres!s use Fa&eb%%8 !% e! in !%u&h. Users reis!er a! !his si!e, &rea!e a pers%nal pr%'ile %r an %pen b%%8 %'

2h% !hey are, add %!her users as 'riends, and e>&hane #essaes, in&ludin au!%#a!i& n%!i'i&a!i%ns 2hen !hey

upda!e !heir pr%'ile.7 A user &an p%s! a s!a!e#en!, a ph%!%, %r a ide% %n Fa&eb%%8, 2hi&h &an be #ade isible!% any%ne, dependin %n !he users pria&y se!!ins.

I' !he p%s! is #ade aailable !% !he publi&, #eanin !% eery%ne and n%! %nly !% his 'riends, any%ne %n Fa&eb%%8

&an rea&! !% !he p%s!in, &li&8in any %' seeral bu!!%ns %' pre'eren&es %n !he pr%ra#s s&reen su&h as BLi8e,B

B$%##en!,B %r B"hare.B BLi8eB sini'ies !ha! !he reader li8es !he p%s!in 2hile B$%##en!B enables hi# !% p%s!

%nline his 'eelins %r ie2s ab%u! !he sa#e, su&h as BThis is rea!JB hen a Fa&eb%%8 user B"haresB a p%s!in,!he %riinal Bp%s!inB 2ill appear %n his %2n Fa&eb%%8 pr%'ile, &%nse=uen!ly #a8in i! isible !% his d%2n6line

Fa&eb%%8 Friends.

T2i!!er, %n !he %!her hand, is an in!erne! s%&ial ne!2%r8in and #i&r%bl%in seri&e !ha! enables i!s users !%

send and read sh%r! !e>!6based #essaes %' up !% 15* &hara&!ers. These are 8n%2n as BT2ee!s.B Mi&r%bl%in

is !he pra&!i&e %' p%s!in s#all pie&es %' dii!al &%n!en!2hi&h &%uld be in !he '%r# %' !e>!, pi&!ures, lin8s,

sh%r! ide%s, %r %!her #edia%n !he in!erne!. Ins!ead %' 'riends, a T2i!!er user has BF%ll%2ers,B !h%se 2h%subs&ribe !% !his par!i&ular users p%s!s, enablin !he# !% read !he sa#e, and BF%ll%2in,B !h%se 2h%# !his

par!i&ular user is subs&ribed !%, enablin hi# !% read !heir p%s!s. Li8e Fa&eb%%8, a T2i!!er user &an #a8e his
























!2ee!s aailable %nly !% his F%ll%2ers, %r !% !he eneral publi&. I' a p%s! is aailable !% !he publi&, any T2i!!er

user &an Be!2ee!B a ien p%s!in. e!2ee!in is /us! rep%s!in %r republishin an%!her pers%ns !2ee! 2i!h%u!!he need %' &%pyin and pas!in i!.

In !he &yber2%rld, !here are #any a&!%rs0 a) !he bl%er 2h% %riina!es !he assailed s!a!e#en!< b) !he bl%

seri&e pr%ider li8e Kah%%< &) !he in!erne! seri&e pr%ider li8e PLDT, "#ar!, Cl%be, %r "un< d) !he in!erne!

&a' !ha! #ay hae pr%ided !he &%#pu!er used '%r p%s!in !he bl%< e) !he pers%n 2h% #a8es a 'a%rable&%##en! %n !he bl%< and ') !he pers%n 2h% p%s!s a lin8 !% !he bl% si!e. ?* N%2, supp%se Maria (a bl%er)

#ain!ains a bl% %n %rdPress.&%# (bl% seri&e pr%ider). "he needs !he in!erne! !% a&&ess her bl% s% shesubs&ribes !% "un ;r%adband (In!erne! "eri&e Pr%ider).

One day, Maria p%s!s %n her in!erne! a&&%un! !he s!a!e#en! !ha! a &er!ain #arried publi& %''i&ial has an illi&i!

a''air 2i!h a #%ie s!ar. Linda, %ne %' Marias 'riends 2h% sees !his p%s!, &%##en!s %nline, BKes, !his is s% !rueJ

They are s% i##%ral.B Marias %riinal p%s! is !hen #ul!iplied by her 'riends and !he la!!ers 'riends, and d%2n

!he line !% 'riends %' 'riends al#%s! ad in'ini!u#. Nena, 2h% is a s!raner !% b%!h Maria and Linda, &%#es a&r%ss!his bl%, 'inds i! in!eres!in and s% shares !he lin8 !% !his apparen!ly de'a#a!%ry bl% %n her T2i!!er a&&%un!.

Nenas BF%ll%2ersB !hen Be!2ee!B !he lin8 !% !ha! bl% si!e.

Pa#ela, a T2i!!er user, s!u#bles up%n a rand%# pers%ns Be!2ee!B %' Nenas %riinal !2ee! and p%s!s !his %n

her Fa&eb%%8 a&&%un!. I##edia!ely, Pa#elas Fa&eb%%8 Friends s!ar! Li8in and #a8in $%##en!s %n !heassailed p%s!in. A l%! %' !he# een press !he "hare bu!!%n, resul!in in !he 'ur!her spread %' !he %riinal p%s!in

in!% !ens, hundreds, !h%usands, and rea!er p%s!ins.

The =ues!i%n is0 are %nline p%s!ins su&h as BLi8inB an %penly de'a#a!%ry s!a!e#en!, B$%##en!inB %n i!, %rB"harinB i! 2i!h %!hers, !% be rearded as Baidin %r abe!!inB In libel in !he physi&al 2%rld, i' Nes!%r pla&es

%n !he %''i&e bulle!in b%ard a s#all p%s!er !ha! says, BAr#and is a !hie'J,B he &%uld &er!ainly be &hared 2i!h

libel. I' %er, seein !he p%s!er, 2ri!es %n i!, BI li8e !hisJ,B !ha! &%uld n%! be libel sin&e he did n%! au!h%r !he

p%s!er. I' Ar!hur, passin by and n%!i&in !he p%s!er, 2ri!es %n i!, B$%rre&!J,B 2%uld !ha! be libel N%, '%r he#erely e>presses aree#en! 2i!h !he s!a!e#en! %n !he p%s!er. @e s!ill is n%! i!s au!h%r. ;esides, i! is n%! &lear i'

aidin %r abe!!in libel in !he physi&al 2%rld is a &ri#e.

;u! supp%se Nes!%r p%s!s !he bl%, BAr#and is a !hie'JB %n a s%&ial ne!2%r8in si!e. %uld a reader and his

Friends %r F%ll%2ers, aailin !he#seles %' any %' !he BLi8e,B B$%##en!,B and B"hareB rea&!i%ns, be uil!y %'aidin %r abe!!in libel And, in !he &%#ple> 2%rld %' &yberspa&e e>pressi%ns %' !h%uh!s, 2hen 2ill %ne be

liable '%r aidin %r abe!!in &yber&ri#es here is !he enue %' !he &ri#e

E>&ep! '%r !he %riinal au!h%r %' !he assailed s!a!e#en!, !he res! (!h%se 2h% pressed Li8e, $%##en! and "hare)are essen!ially 8nee6/er8 sen!i#en!s %' readers 2h% #ay !hin8 li!!le %r hapha3ardly %' !heir resp%nse !% !he

%riinal p%s!in. ill !hey be liable '%r aidin %r abe!!in And, &%nsiderin !he inheren! i#p%ssibili!y %'

/%inin hundreds %r !h%usands %' resp%ndin BFriendsB %r BF%ll%2ersB in !he &ri#inal &hare !% be 'iled in &%ur!

2h% 2ill #a8e a &h%i&e as !% 2h% sh%uld % !% /ail '%r !he %u!brea8 %' !he &hallened p%s!in

The %ld para#e!ers '%r en'%r&in !he !radi!i%nal '%r# %' libel 2%uld be a s=uare pe in a r%und h%le 2hen

applied !% &yberspa&e libel. Unless !he leisla!ure &ra'!s a &yber libel la2 !ha! !a8es in!% a&&%un! i!s uni=ue

&ir&u#s!an&es and &ul!ure, su&h la2 2ill !end !% &rea!e a &hillin e''e&! %n !he #illi%ns !ha! use !his ne2

#ediu# %' &%##uni&a!i%n in i%la!i%n %' !heir &%ns!i!u!i%nally6uaran!eed rih! !% 'reed%# %' e>pressi%n.

The Uni!ed "!a!es "upre#e $%ur! 'a&ed !he sa#e issue in en% . A#eri&an $iil Liber!ies Uni%n, ?1 a &ase

in%lin !he &%ns!i!u!i%nali!y %' !he $%##uni&a!i%ns De&en&y A&! %' 177?. The la2 pr%hibi!ed (1) !he

8n%2in !rans#issi%n, by #eans %' a !ele&%##uni&a!i%ns dei&e, %'








B%bs&ene %r inde&en!B &%##uni&a!i%ns !% any re&ipien! under 1 years %' ae< and (-) !he 8n%2in use %' an

in!era&!ie &%#pu!er seri&e !% send !% a spe&i'i& pers%n %r pers%ns under 1 years %' ae %r !% display in a#anner aailable !% a pers%n under 1 years %' ae &%##uni&a!i%ns !ha!, in &%n!e>!, depi&! %r des&ribe, in !er#s

Bpa!en!ly %''ensieB as #easured by &%n!e#p%rary &%##uni!y s!andards, se>ual %r e>&re!%ry a&!ii!ies %r

%rans.

Th%se 2h% &hallened !he A&! &lai# !ha! !he la2 i%la!ed !he Firs! A#end#en!s uaran!ee %' 'reed%# %'spee&h '%r bein %erbr%ad. The U.". "upre#e $%ur! areed and ruled0

The aueness %' !he $%##uni&a!i%ns De&en&y A&! %' 177? ($DA), 5+ U.".$.". --4, is a #a!!er %' spe&ial

&%n&ern '%r !2% reas%ns. Firs!, !he $DA is a &%n!en!6based reula!i%n %' spee&h. The aueness %' su&h areula!i%n raises spe&ial U.". $%ns!. a#end. I &%n&erns be&ause %' i!s %bi%us &hillin e''e&! %n 'ree spee&h.

"e&%nd, !he $DA is a &ri#inal s!a!u!e. In addi!i%n !% !he %ppr%briu# and s!i#a %' a &ri#inal &%ni&!i%n, !he

$DA !hrea!ens i%la!%rs 2i!h penal!ies in&ludin up !% !2% years in pris%n '%r ea&h a&! %' i%la!i%n. The seeri!y

%' &ri#inal san&!i%ns #ay 2ell &ause spea8ers !% re#ain silen! ra!her !han &%##uni&a!e een aruably unla2'ul2%rds, ideas, and i#aes. As a pra&!i&al #a!!er, !his in&reased de!erren! e''e&!, &%upled 2i!h !he ris8 %'

dis&ri#ina!%ry en'%r&e#en! %' aue reula!i%ns, p%ses rea!er U.". $%ns!. a#end. I &%n&erns !han !h%se

i#pli&a!ed by &er!ain &iil reula!i%ns.

> > > >

The $%##uni&a!i%ns De&en&y A&! %' 177? ($DA), 5+ U.".$.". --4, presen!s a rea! !hrea! %' &ens%rin

spee&h !ha!, in 'a&!, 'alls %u!side !he s!a!u!es s&%pe. Cien !he aue &%n!%urs %' !he &%erae %' !he s!a!u!e, i!

un=ues!i%nably silen&es s%#e spea8ers 2h%se #essaes 2%uld be en!i!led !% &%ns!i!u!i%nal pr%!e&!i%n. Tha!daner pr%ides 'ur!her reas%n '%r insis!in !ha! !he s!a!u!e n%! be %erly br%ad. The $DAs burden %n pr%!e&!ed

spee&h &ann%! be /us!i'ied i' i! &%uld be a%ided by a #%re &are'ully dra'!ed s!a!u!e. (E#phasis %urs)

Libel in !he &yberspa&e &an %' &%urse s!ain a pers%ns i#ae 2i!h /us! %ne &li&8 %' !he #%use. "&urril%us

s!a!e#en!s &an spread and !rael 'as! a&r%ss !he l%be li8e bad ne2s. M%re%er, &yberlibel %'!en %es hand inhand 2i!h &yberbullyin !ha! %ppresses !he i&!i#, his rela!ies, and 'riends, e%8in 'r%# #ild !% disas!r%us

rea&!i%ns. "!ill, a %ern#en!al purp%se, 2hi&h see8s !% reula!e !he use %' !his &yberspa&e &%##uni&a!i%n!e&hn%l%y !% pr%!e&! a pers%ns repu!a!i%n and pea&e %' #ind, &ann%! ad%p! #eans !ha! 2ill unne&essarily and

br%adly s2eep, inadin !he area %' pr%!e&!ed 'reed%#s.?-

I' su&h #eans are ad%p!ed, sel'6inhibi!i%n b%rne %' 'ear %' 2ha! sinis!er predi&a#en!s a2ai! in!erne! users 2ill

suppress %!her2ise r%bus! dis&ussi%n %' publi& issues. De#%&ra&y 2ill be !hrea!ened and 2i!h i!, all liber!ies

Penal la2s sh%uld pr%ide reas%nably &lear uidelines '%r la2 en'%r&e#en! %''i&ials and !riers %' 'a&!s !% preen! arbi!rary and dis&ri#ina!%ry en'%r&e#en!.?4 The !er#s Baidin %r abe!!inB &%ns!i!u!e br%ad s2eep !ha

enera!es &hillin e''e&! %n !h%se 2h% e>press !he#seles !hr%uh &yberspa&e p%s!s, &%##en!s, and %!her

#essaes.?5@en&e, "e&!i%n %' !he &yber&ri#e la2 !ha! punishes Baidin %r abe!!inB libel %n !he &yberspa&e is

a nulli!y.

hen a penal s!a!u!e en&r%a&hes up%n !he 'reed%# %' spee&h, a 'a&ial &hallene r%unded %n !he %id6'%r6

aueness d%&!rine is a&&ep!able. The inappli&abili!y %' !he d%&!rine #us! be &are'ully delinea!ed. As 9us!i&e

An!%ni% T. $arpi% e>plained in his dissen! in %#ualde3 . $%##issi%n %n Ele&!i%ns, ? B2e #us! ie2 !hese

s!a!e#en!s %' !he $%ur! %n !he inappli&abili!y %' !he %erbread!h and aueness d%&!rines !% penal s!a!u!es asappr%pria!e %nly ins%'ar as !hese d%&!rines are used !% #%un! 'a&ial &hallenes !% penal s!a!u!es n%! in%lin

'ree spee&h.B

In an Bas appliedB &hallene, !he pe!i!i%ner 2h% &lai#s a i%la!i%n %' his &%ns!i!u!i%nal rih! &an raise any&%ns!i!u!i%nal r%und – absen&e %' due pr%&ess, la&8 %' 'air n%!i&e, la&8 %' as&er!ainable s!andards, %erbread!h













%r aueness. @ere, %ne &an &hallene !he &%ns!i!u!i%nali!y %' a s!a!u!e %nly i' he asser!s a i%la!i%n %' his %2n

rih!s. I! pr%hibi!s %ne 'r%# assailin !he &%ns!i!u!i%nali!y %' !he s!a!u!e based s%lely %n !he i%la!i%n %' !herih!s %' !hird pers%ns n%! be'%re !he &%ur!. This rule is als% 8n%2n as !he pr%hibi!i%n aains! !hird6par!y

s!andin.??

;u! !his rule ad#i!s %' e>&ep!i%ns. A pe!i!i%ner #ay '%r ins!an&e #%un! a B'a&ialB &hallene !% !he

&%ns!i!u!i%nali!y %' a s!a!u!e een i' he &lai#s n% i%la!i%n %' his %2n rih!s under !he assailed s!a!u!e 2here i!in%les 'ree spee&h %n r%unds %' %erbread!h %r aueness %' !he s!a!u!e.

The ra!i%nale '%r !his e>&ep!i%n is !% &%un!er !he B&hillin e''e&!B %n pr%!e&!ed spee&h !ha! &%#es 'r%# s!a!u!es

i%la!in 'ree spee&h. A pers%n 2h% d%es n%! 8n%2 2he!her his spee&h &%ns!i!u!es a &ri#e under an %erbr%ad%r aue la2 #ay si#ply res!rain hi#sel' 'r%# spea8in in %rder !% a%id bein &hared %' a &ri#e. The

%erbr%ad %r aue la2 !hus &hills hi# in!% silen&e.?+

As already s!a!ed, !he &yberspa&e is an in&%#parable, perasie #ediu# %' &%##uni&a!i%n. I! is inei!able !ha!

any %ern#en! !hrea! %' punish#en! reardin &er!ain uses %' !he #ediu# &rea!es a &hillin e''e&! %n !he&%ns!i!u!i%nally6pr%!e&!ed 'reed%# %' e>pressi%n %' !he rea! #asses !ha! use i!. In !his &ase, !he par!i&ularly

&%#ple> 2eb %' in!era&!i%n %n s%&ial #edia 2ebsi!es 2%uld ie la2 en'%r&ers su&h la!i!ude !ha! !hey &%uld

arbi!rarily %r sele&!iely en'%r&e !he la2.

h% is !% de&ide 2hen !% pr%se&u!e pers%ns 2h% b%%s! !he isibili!y %' a p%s!in %n !he in!erne! by li8in i! Ne!i3ens are n%! ien B'air n%!i&eB %r 2arnin as !% 2ha! is &ri#inal &%ndu&! and 2ha! is la2'ul &%ndu&!. hen

a &ase is 'iled, h%2 2ill !he &%ur! as&er!ain 2he!her %r n%! %ne ne!i3ens &%##en! aided and abe!!ed a

&yber&ri#e 2hile an%!her &%##en! did n%!

O' &%urse, i' !he B$%##en!B d%es n%! #erely rea&! !% !he %riinal p%s!in bu! &rea!es an al!%e!her ne2de'a#a!%ry s!%ry aains! Ar#and li8e B@e bea!s his 2i'e and &hildren,B !hen !ha! sh%uld be &%nsidered an

%riinal p%s!in published %n !he in!erne!. ;%!h !he penal &%de and !he &yber&ri#e la2 &learly punish au!h%rs %'

de'a#a!%ry publi&a!i%ns. Ma8e n% #is!a8e, libel des!r%ys repu!a!i%ns !ha! s%&ie!y alues. All%2ed !% &as&ade in!he in!erne!, i! 2ill des!r%y rela!i%nships and, under &er!ain &ir&u#s!an&es, 2ill enera!e en#i!y and !ensi%n

be!2een s%&ial %r e&%n%#i& r%ups, ra&es, %r relii%ns, e>a&erba!in e>is!in !ensi%n in !heir rela!i%nships.

In reard !% !he &ri#e !ha! !are!s &hild p%rn%raphy, 2hen BC%%le pr%&ures, s!%res, and inde>es &hild

p%rn%raphy and 'a&ili!a!es !he &%#ple!i%n %' !ransa&!i%ns in%lin !he disse#ina!i%n %' &hild p%rn%raphy,Bd%es !his #a8e C%%le and i!s users aiders and abe!!%rs in !he &%##issi%n %' &hild p%rn%raphy &ri#es? ;yars

hihlih!s a 'ea!ure in !he A#eri&an la2 %n &hild p%rn%raphy !ha! !he $yber&ri#es la2 la&8s!he e>e#p!i%n

%' a pr%ider %r n%!ably a plain user %' in!era&!ie &%#pu!er seri&e 'r%# &iil liabili!y '%r &hild p%rn%raphy as'%ll%2s0

N% pr%ider %r user %' an in!era&!ie &%#pu!er seri&e shall be !rea!ed as !he publisher %r spea8er %' any

in'%r#a!i%n pr%ided by an%!her in'%r#a!i%n &%n!en! pr%ider and &ann%! be held &iilly liable '%r any a&!i%n

%lun!arily !a8en in %%d 'ai!h !% res!ri&! a&&ess !% %r aailabili!y %' #a!erial !ha! !he pr%ider %r user &%nsiders!% be %bs&ene...2he!her %r n%! su&h #a!erial is &%ns!i!u!i%nally pr%!e&!ed.?7

hen a pers%n replies !% a T2ee! &%n!ainin &hild p%rn%raphy, he e''e&!iely republishes i! 2he!her 2i!!inly

%r un2i!!inly. D%es !his #a8e hi# a 2illin a&&%#pli&e !% !he dis!ribu!i%n %' &hild p%rn%raphy hen a user

d%2nl%ads !he Fa&eb%%8 #%bile appli&a!i%n, !he user #ay ie &%nsen! !% Fa&eb%%8 !% a&&ess his &%n!a&!de!ails. In !his 2ay, &er!ain in'%r#a!i%n is '%r2arded !% !hird par!ies and uns%li&i!ed &%##er&ial &%##uni&a!i%n

&%uld be disse#ina!ed %n !he basis %' !his in'%r#a!i%n. +* As !he s%ur&e %' !his in'%r#a!i%n, is !he user aidin !he

dis!ribu!i%n %' !his &%##uni&a!i%n The leisla!ure needs !% address !his &learly !% reliee users %' ann%yin'ear %' p%ssible &ri#inal pr%se&u!i%n.













"e&!i%n 2i!h respe&! !% "e&!i%n 5(&)(5) is un&%ns!i!u!i%nal. I!s aueness raises apprehensi%n %n !he par! %'

in!erne! users be&ause %' i!s %bi%us &hillin e''e&! %n !he 'reed%# %' e>pressi%n, espe&ially sin&e !he &ri#e %'aidin %r abe!!in ensnares all !he a&!%rs in !he &yberspa&e 'r%n! in a 'u33y 2ay. ha! is #%re, as !he pe!i!i%ners

p%in! %u!, '%r#al &ri#es su&h as libel are n%! punishable unless &%nsu##a!ed.+1 In !he absen&e %' leisla!i%n

!ra&in !he in!era&!i%n %' ne!i3ens and !heir leel %' resp%nsibili!y su&h as in %!her &%un!ries, "e&!i%n , inrela!i%n !% "e&!i%n 5(&)(5) %n Libel, "e&!i%n 5(&)(4) %n Uns%li&i!ed $%##er&ial $%##uni&a!i%ns, and "e&!i%n

5(&)(-) %n $hild P%rn%raphy, &ann%! s!and s&ru!iny.

;u! !he &ri#e %' aidin %r abe!!in !he &%##issi%n %' &yber&ri#es under "e&!i%n sh%uld be per#i!!ed !% apply!% "e&!i%n 5(a)(1) %n Illeal A&&ess, "e&!i%n 5(a)(-) %n Illeal In!er&ep!i%n, "e&!i%n 5(a)(4) %n Da!aIn!er'eren&e, "e&!i%n 5(a)(5) %n "ys!e# In!er'eren&e, "e&!i%n 5(a)() %n Misuse %' Dei&es, "e&!i%n 5(a)(?) %n

$yber6s=ua!!in, "e&!i%n 5(b)(1) %n $%#pu!er6rela!ed F%rery, "e&!i%n 5(b)(-) %n $%#pu!er6rela!ed Fraud,

"e&!i%n 5(b)(4) %n $%#pu!er6rela!ed Iden!i!y The'!, and "e&!i%n 5(&)(1) %n $yberse>. N%ne %' !hese %''enses b%rders %n !he e>er&ise %' !he 'reed%# %' e>pressi%n.

The &ri#e %' 2ill'ully a!!e#p!in !% &%##i! any %' !hese %''enses is '%r !he sa#e reas%n n%! %b/e&!i%nable. A

ha&8er #ay '%r ins!an&e hae d%ne all !ha! is ne&essary !% illeally a&&ess an%!her par!ys &%#pu!er sys!e# bu!

!he se&uri!y e#pl%yed by !he sys!e#s la2'ul %2ner &%uld 'rus!ra!e his e''%r!. An%!her ha&8er #ay hae aineda&&ess !% userna#es and pass2%rds %' %!hers bu! 'ail !% use !hese be&ause !he sys!e# superis%r is aler!ed. +- I

"e&!i%n !ha! punishes any pers%n 2h% 2ill'ully a!!e#p!s !% &%##i! !his spe&i'i& %''ense is n%! upheld, !he%2ner %' !he userna#e and pass2%rd &%uld n%! 'ile a &%#plain! aains! hi# '%r a!!e#p!ed ha&8in. ;u! !his isn%! rih!. The ha&8er sh%uld n%! be 'reed 'r%# liabili!y si#ply be&ause %' !he iilan&e %' a la2'ul %2ner %r his

superis%r.

Pe!i!i%ners %' &%urse &lai# !ha! "e&!i%n la&8s p%si!ie li#i!s and &%uld &%er !he inn%&en!. +4 hile !his #ay be

!rue 2i!h respe&! !% &yber&ri#es !ha! !end !% snea8 pas! !he area %' 'ree e>pressi%n, any a!!e#p! !% &%##i! !he%!her a&!s spe&i'ied in "e&!i%n 5(a)(1), "e&!i%n 5(a)(-), "e&!i%n 5(a)(4), "e&!i%n 5(a)(5), "e&!i%n 5(a)(), "e&!i%n

5(a)(?), "e&!i%n 5(b)(1), "e&!i%n 5(b)(-), "e&!i%n 5(b)(4), and "e&!i%n 5(&)(1) as 2ell as !he a&!%rs aidin and

abe!!in !he &%##issi%n %' su&h a&!s &an be iden!i'ied 2i!h s%#e reas%nable &er!ain!y !hr%uh adr%i! !ra&8in %'!heir 2%r8s. Absen! &%n&re!e pr%%' %' !he sa#e, !he inn%&en! 2ill %' &%urse be spared.

"e&!i%n ? %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%n ? pr%ides0

"e&. ?. All &ri#es de'ined and penali3ed by !he eised Penal $%de, as a#ended, and spe&ial la2s, i'

&%##i!!ed by, !hr%uh and 2i!h !he use %' in'%r#a!i%n and &%##uni&a!i%ns !e&hn%l%ies shall be &%ered by!he relean! pr%isi%ns %' !his A&!0 Pr%ided, Tha! !he penal!y !% be i#p%sed shall be %ne (1) deree hiher !han

!ha! pr%ided '%r by !he eised Penal $%de, as a#ended, and spe&ial la2s, as !he &ase #ay be.

"e&!i%n ? #erely #a8es &%##issi%n %' e>is!in &ri#es !hr%uh !he in!erne! a =uali'yin &ir&u#s!an&e. As !he

"%li&i!%r Ceneral p%in!s %u!, !here e>is!s a subs!an!ial dis!in&!i%n be!2een &ri#es &%##i!!ed !hr%uh !he use %'in'%r#a!i%n and &%##uni&a!i%ns !e&hn%l%y and si#ilar &ri#es &%##i!!ed usin %!her #eans. In usin !he

!e&hn%l%y in =ues!i%n, !he %''ender %'!en eades iden!i'i&a!i%n and is able !% rea&h 'ar #%re i&!i#s %r &ause

rea!er har#. The dis!in&!i%n, !here'%re, &rea!es a basis '%r hiher penal!ies '%r &yber&ri#es.

"e&!i%n + %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%n + pr%ides0









"e&. +. Liabili!y under O!her La2s. A pr%se&u!i%n under !his A&! shall be 2i!h%u! pre/udi&e !% any liabili!y

'%r i%la!i%n %' any pr%isi%n %' !he eised Penal $%de, as a#ended, %r spe&ial la2s.

The "%li&i!%r Ceneral p%in!s %u! !ha! "e&!i%n + #erely e>presses !he se!!led d%&!rine !ha! a sinle se! %' a&!s #ay

be pr%se&u!ed and penali3ed si#ul!ane%usly under !2% la2s, a spe&ial la2 and !he eised Penal $%de. hen

!2% di''eren! la2s de'ine !2% &ri#es, pri%r /e%pardy as !% %ne d%es n%! bar pr%se&u!i%n %' !he %!her al!h%uh

b%!h %''enses arise 'r%# !he sa#e 'a&!, i' ea&h &ri#e in%les s%#e i#p%r!an! a&! 2hi&h is n%! an essen!iaele#en! %' !he %!her .+5 i!h !he e>&ep!i%n %' !he &ri#es %' %nline libel and %nline &hild p%rn%raphy, !he $%ur!

2%uld ra!her leae !he de!er#ina!i%n %' !he &%rre&! appli&a!i%n %' "e&!i%n + !% a&!ual &ases.

Online libel is di''eren!. There sh%uld be n% =ues!i%n !ha! i' !he published #a!erial %n prin!, said !% be libel%us,is aain p%s!ed %nline %r i&e ersa, !ha! iden!i&al #a!erial &ann%! be !he sub/e&! %' !2% separa!e libels. The !2%

%''enses, %ne a i%la!i%n %' Ar!i&le 44 %' !he eised Penal $%de and !he %!her a i%la!i%n %' "e&!i%n 5(&)(5) %'

.A. 1*1+ in%le essen!ially !he sa#e ele#en!s and are in 'a&! %ne and !he sa#e %''ense. Indeed, !he O"C

i!sel' &lai#s !ha! %nline libel under "e&!i%n 5(&)(5) is n%! a ne2 &ri#e bu! is %ne already punished under Ar!i&le44. "e&!i%n 5(&)(5) #erely es!ablishes !he &%#pu!er sys!e# as an%!her #eans %' publi&a!i%n. + $harin !he

%''ender under b%!h la2s 2%uld be a bla!an! i%la!i%n %' !he pr%s&rip!i%n aains! d%uble /e%pardy.+?

The sa#e is !rue 2i!h &hild p%rn%raphy &%##i!!ed %nline. "e&!i%n 5(&)(-) #erely e>pands !he A$PAs s&%pe

s% as !% in&lude iden!i&al a&!ii!ies in &yberspa&e. As prei%usly dis&ussed, A$PAs de'ini!i%n %' &hild p%rn%raphy in 'a&! already &%ers !he use %' Bele&!r%ni&, #e&hani&al, dii!al, %p!i&al, #ane!i& %r any %!her

#eans.B Thus, &harin !he %''ender under b%!h "e&!i%n 5(&)(-) and A$PA 2%uld li8e2ise be !an!a#%un! !% a

i%la!i%n %' !he &%ns!i!u!i%nal pr%hibi!i%n aains! d%uble /e%pardy.

"e&!i%n %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%n pr%ides0

"e&. . Penal!ies. Any pers%n '%und uil!y %' any %' !he punishable a&!s enu#era!ed in "e&!i%ns 5(a) and 5(b)

%' !his A&! shall be punished 2i!h i#pris%n#en! %' prisi%n #ay%r %r a 'ine %' a! leas! T2% hundred !h%usand

pes%s (PhP-**,***.**) up !% a #a>i#u# a#%un! &%##ensura!e !% !he da#ae in&urred %r b%!h.

Any pers%n '%und uil!y %' !he punishable a&! under "e&!i%n 5(a)() shall be punished 2i!h i#pris%n#en! %'

prisi%n #ay%r %r a 'ine %' n%! #%re !han Fie hundred !h%usand pes%s (PhP**,***.**) %r b%!h.

I' punishable a&!s in "e&!i%n 5(a) are &%##i!!ed aains! &ri!i&al in'ras!ru&!ure, !he penal!y %' re&lusi%n !e#p%ral

%r a 'ine %' a! leas! Fie hundred !h%usand pes%s (PhP**,***.**) up !% #a>i#u# a#%un! &%##ensura!e !% !heda#ae in&urred %r b%!h, shall be i#p%sed.

Any pers%n '%und uil!y %' any %' !he punishable a&!s enu#era!ed in "e&!i%n 5(&)(1) %' !his A&! shall be

punished 2i!h i#pris%n#en! %' prisi%n #ay%r %r a 'ine %' a! leas! T2% hundred !h%usand pes%s (PhP-**,***.**)

bu! n%! e>&eedin One #illi%n pes%s (PhP1,***,***.**) %r b%!h.

Any pers%n '%und uil!y %' any %' !he punishable a&!s enu#era!ed in "e&!i%n 5(&)(-) %' !his A&! shall be punished 2i!h !he penal!ies as enu#era!ed in epubli& A&! N%. 7++ %r !he BAn!i6$hild P%rn%raphy A&! %'

-**70B Pr%ided, Tha! !he penal!y !% be i#p%sed shall be %ne (1) deree hiher !han !ha! pr%ided '%r in

epubli& A&! N%. 7++, i' &%##i!!ed !hr%uh a &%#pu!er sys!e#.

Any pers%n '%und uil!y %' any %' !he punishable a&!s enu#era!ed in "e&!i%n 5(&)(4) shall be punished 2i!hi#pris%n#en! %' arres!% #ay%r %r a 'ine %' a! leas! Fi'!y !h%usand pes%s (PhP*,***.**) bu! n%! e>&eedin T2%

hundred 'i'!y !h%usand pes%s (PhP-*,***.**) %r b%!h.












Any pers%n '%und uil!y %' any %' !he punishable a&!s enu#era!ed in "e&!i%n shall be punished 2i!h

i#pris%n#en! %ne (1) deree l%2er !han !ha! %' !he pres&ribed penal!y '%r !he %''ense %r a 'ine %' a! leas! Onehundred !h%usand pes%s (PhP1**,***.**) bu! n%! e>&eedin Fie hundred !h%usand pes%s (PhP**,***.**) %r

b%!h.

"e&!i%n pr%ides '%r !he penal!ies '%r !he '%ll%2in &ri#es0 "e&!i%ns 5(a) %n O''enses Aains! !he

$%n'iden!iali!y, In!eri!y and Aailabili!y %' $%#pu!er Da!a and "ys!e#s< 5(b) %n $%#pu!er6rela!ed O''enses<5(a)() %n Misuse %' Dei&es< 2hen !he &ri#e punishable under 5(a) is &%##i!!ed aains! &ri!i&al in'ras!ru&!ure

5(&)(1) %n $yberse>< 5(&)(-) %n $hild P%rn%raphy< 5(&)(4) %n Uns%li&i!ed $%##er&ial $%##uni&a!i%ns< and"e&!i%n %n Aidin %r Abe!!in, and A!!e#p! in !he $%##issi%n %' $yber&ri#e.

The #a!!er %' 'i>in penal!ies '%r !he &%##issi%n %' &ri#es is as a rule a leisla!ie prer%a!ie. @ere !he

leisla!ure pres&ribed a #easure %' seere penal!ies '%r 2ha! i! reards as dele!eri%us &yber&ri#es. They appear

pr%p%r!i%na!e !% !he eil s%uh! !% be punished. The p%2er !% de!er#ine penal!ies '%r %''enses is n%! dilu!ed %r

i#pr%perly 2ielded si#ply be&ause a! s%#e pri%r !i#e !he a&! %r %#issi%n 2as bu! an ele#en! %' an%!her%''ense %r #ih! /us! hae been &%nne&!ed 2i!h an%!her &ri#e. ++ 9udes and #ais!ra!es &an %nly in!erpre! and

apply !he# and hae n% au!h%ri!y !% #%di'y %r reise !heir rane as de!er#ined by !he leisla!ie depar!#en!.

The &%ur!s sh%uld n%! en&r%a&h %n !his prer%a!ie %' !he la2#a8in b%dy.+

"e&!i%n 1- %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%n 1- pr%ides0

"e&. 1-. eal6Ti#e $%lle&!i%n %' Tra''i& Da!a. La2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies, 2i!h due &ause, shall be

au!h%ri3ed !% &%lle&! %r re&%rd by !e&hni&al %r ele&!r%ni& #eans !ra''i& da!a in real6!i#e ass%&ia!ed 2i!h spe&i'ied

&%##uni&a!i%ns !rans#i!!ed by #eans %' a &%#pu!er sys!e#.

Tra''i& da!a re'er %nly !% !he &%##uni&a!i%ns %riin, des!ina!i%n, r%u!e, !i#e, da!e, si3e, dura!i%n, %r !ype %'underlyin seri&e, bu! n%! &%n!en!, n%r iden!i!ies.

All %!her da!a !% be &%lle&!ed %r sei3ed %r dis&l%sed 2ill re=uire a &%ur! 2arran!.

"eri&e pr%iders are re=uired !% &%%pera!e and assis! la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies in !he &%lle&!i%n %r re&%rdin

%' !he ab%e6s!a!ed in'%r#a!i%n.

The &%ur! 2arran! re=uired under !his se&!i%n shall %nly be issued %r ran!ed up%n 2ri!!en appli&a!i%n and !hee>a#ina!i%n under %a!h %r a''ir#a!i%n %' !he appli&an! and !he 2i!nesses he #ay pr%du&e and !he sh%2in0 (1)

!ha! !here are reas%nable r%unds !% beliee !ha! any %' !he &ri#es enu#era!ed hereinab%e has been &%##i!!ed,

%r is bein &%##i!!ed, %r is ab%u! !% be &%##i!!ed< (-) !ha! !here are reas%nable r%unds !% beliee !ha!eiden&e !ha! 2ill be %b!ained is essen!ial !% !he &%ni&!i%n %' any pers%n '%r, %r !% !he s%lu!i%n %', %r !% !he

preen!i%n %', any su&h &ri#es< and (4) !ha! !here are n% %!her #eans readily aailable '%r %b!ainin su&heiden&e.

Pe!i!i%ners assail !he ran! !% la2 en'%r&e#en! aen&ies %' !he p%2er !% &%lle&! %r re&%rd !ra''i& da!a in real !i#eas !endin !% &ur!ail &iil liber!ies %r pr%ide %pp%r!uni!ies '%r %''i&ial abuse. They &lai# !ha! da!a sh%2in

2here dii!al #essaes &%#e 'r%#, 2ha! 8ind !hey are, and 2here !hey are des!ined need n%! be in&ri#ina!in !%

!heir senders %r re&ipien!s be'%re !hey are !% be pr%!e&!ed. Pe!i!i%ners in%8e !he rih! %' eery indiidual !%

pria&y and !% be pr%!e&!ed 'r%# %ern#en! sn%%pin in!% !he #essaes %r in'%r#a!i%n !ha! !hey send !% %nean%!her.







The 'irs! =ues!i%n is 2he!her %r n%! "e&!i%n 1- has a pr%per %ern#en!al purp%se sin&e a la2 #ay re=uire !he

dis&l%sure %' #a!!ers n%r#ally &%nsidered pria!e bu! !hen %nly up%n sh%2in !ha! su&h re=uire#en! has ara!i%nal rela!i%n !% !he purp%se %' !he la2,+7 !ha! !here is a &%#pellin "!a!e in!eres! behind !he la2, and !ha! !he

pr%isi%n i!sel' is narr%2ly dra2n.* In assessin reula!i%ns a''e&!in pria&y rih!s, &%ur!s sh%uld balan&e !he

lei!i#a!e &%n&erns %' !he "!a!e aains! &%ns!i!u!i%nal uaran!ees.1

Und%ub!edly, !he "!a!e has a &%#pellin in!eres! in ena&!in !he &yber&ri#e la2 '%r !here is a need !% pu! %rder!% !he !re#end%us a&!ii!ies in &yberspa&e '%r publi& %%d.- T% d% !his, i! is 2i!hin !he real# %' reas%n !ha! !he

%ern#en! sh%uld be able !% #%ni!%r !ra''i& da!a !% enhan&e i!s abili!y !% &%#ba! all s%r!s %' &yber&ri#es.

$hap!er IH %' !he &yber&ri#e la2, %' 2hi&h !he &%lle&!i%n %r re&%rdin %' !ra''i& da!a is a par!, ai#s !% pr%idela2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies 2i!h !he p%2er !hey need '%r sp%!!in, preen!in, and ines!ia!in &ri#es

&%##i!!ed in &yberspa&e. $ri#e6'ih!in is a s!a!e business. Indeed, as $hie' 9us!i&e "eren% p%in!s %u!, !he

;udapes! $%nen!i%n %n $yber&ri#es re=uires sina!%ry &%un!ries !% ad%p! leisla!ie #easures !% e#p%2er

s!a!e au!h%ri!ies !% &%lle&! %r re&%rd B!ra''i& da!a, in real !i#e, ass%&ia!ed 2i!h spe&i'ied &%##uni&a!i%ns.B 4 And!his is pre&isely 2ha! "e&!i%n 1- d%es. I! e#p%2ers la2 en'%r&e#en! aen&ies in !his &%un!ry !% &%lle&! %r re&%rd

su&h da!a.

;u! is n%! eiden&e %' yes!erdays !ra''i& da!a, li8e !he s&ene %' !he &ri#e a'!er i! has been &%##i!!ed, ade=ua!e

'%r 'ih!in &yber&ri#es and, !here'%re, real6!i#e da!a is super'lu%us '%r !ha! purp%se Eiden!ly, i! is n%!. Th%se2h% &%##i! !he &ri#es %' a&&essin a &%#pu!er sys!e# 2i!h%u! rih!,5 !rans#i!!in iruses, las&ii%usly

e>hibi!in se>ual %rans %r se>ual a&!ii!y '%r 'a%r %r &%nsidera!i%n<? and pr%du&in &hild p%rn%raphy+ &%uld

easily eade de!e&!i%n and pr%se&u!i%n by si#ply #%in !he physi&al l%&a!i%n %' !heir &%#pu!ers %r lap!%ps'r%# day !% day. In !his dii!al ae, !he 2i&8ed &an &%##i! &yber&ri#es 'r%# ir!ually any2here0 'r%# in!erne!

&a's, 'r%# 8indred pla&es !ha! pr%ide 'ree in!erne! seri&es, and 'r%# unreis!ered #%bile in!erne! &%nne&!%rs

$ri#inals usin &ellph%nes under pre6paid arrane#en!s and 2i!h unreis!ered "IM &ards d% n%! hae lis!edaddresses and &an nei!her be l%&a!ed n%r iden!i'ied. There are #any 2ays !he &yber &ri#inals &an =ui&8ly erase

!heir !ra&8s. Th%se 2h% peddle &hild p%rn%raphy &%uld use relays %' &%#pu!ers !% #islead la2 en'%r&e#en!

au!h%ri!ies reardin !heir pla&es %' %pera!i%ns. Eiden!ly, i! is %nly real6!i#e !ra''i& da!a &%lle&!i%n %r re&%rdinand a subse=uen! re&%urse !% &%ur!6issued sear&h and sei3ure 2arran! !ha! &an su&&eed in 'erre!in !he# %u!.

Pe!i!i%ners %' &%urse p%in! %u! !ha! !he pr%isi%ns %' "e&!i%n 1- are !%% br%ad and d% n%! pr%ide a#ple

sa'euards aains! &r%ssin leal b%undaries and inadin !he pe%ples rih! !% pria&y. The &%n&ern is

unders!andable. Indeed, !he $%ur! re&%ni3es in M%r'e . Mu!u& !ha! &er!ain &%ns!i!u!i%nal uaran!ees 2%r8!%e!her !% &rea!e 3%nes %' pria&y 2herein %ern#en!al p%2ers #ay n%! in!rude, and !ha! !here e>is!s an

independen! &%ns!i!u!i%nal rih! %' pria&y. "u&h rih! !% be le'! al%ne has been rearded as !he beinnin %' all

'reed%#s.7

;u! !ha! rih! is n%! un=uali'ied. In halen . %e, 7* !he Uni!ed "!a!es "upre#e $%ur! &lassi'ied pria&y in!%!2% &a!e%ries0 de&isi%nal pria&y and in'%r#a!i%nal pria&y. De&isi%nal pria&y in%les !he rih! !%

independen&e in #a8in &er!ain i#p%r!an! de&isi%ns, 2hile in'%r#a!i%nal pria&y re'ers !% !he in!eres! in

a%idin dis&l%sure %' pers%nal #a!!ers. I! is !he la!!er rih!!he rih! !% in'%r#a!i%nal pria&y!ha! !h%se 2h%%pp%se %ern#en! &%lle&!i%n %r re&%rdin %' !ra''i& da!a in real6!i#e see8 !% pr%!e&!.

In'%r#a!i%nal pria&y has !2% aspe&!s0 !he rih! n%! !% hae pria!e in'%r#a!i%n dis&l%sed, and !he rih! !% lie

'reely 2i!h%u! sureillan&e and in!rusi%n.71 In de!er#inin 2he!her %r n%! a #a!!er is en!i!led !% !he rih! !%

pria&y, !his $%ur! has laid d%2n a !2%6'%ld !es!. The 'irs! is a sub/e&!ie !es!, 2here %ne &lai#in !he rih! #us!hae an a&!ual %r lei!i#a!e e>pe&!a!i%n %' pria&y %er a &er!ain #a!!er. The se&%nd is an %b/e&!ie !es!, 2here

his %r her e>pe&!a!i%n %' pria&y #us! be %ne s%&ie!y is prepared !% a&&ep! as %b/e&!iely reas%nable.7-

































"in&e !he alidi!y %' !he &yber&ri#e la2 is bein &hallened, n%! in rela!i%n !% i!s appli&a!i%n !% a par!i&ular

pers%n %r r%up, pe!i!i%ners &hallene !% "e&!i%n 1- applies !% all in'%r#a!i%n and &%##uni&a!i%ns !e&hn%l%y(I$T) users, #eanin !he lare se#en! %' !he p%pula!i%n 2h% use all s%r!s %' ele&!r%ni& dei&es !%

&%##uni&a!e 2i!h %ne an%!her. $%nse=uen!ly, !he e>pe&!a!i%n %' pria&y is !% be #easured 'r%# !he eneral

publi&s p%in! %' ie2. i!h%u! reas%nable e>pe&!a!i%n %' pria&y, !he rih! !% i! 2%uld hae n% basis in 'a&!.

As !he "%li&i!%r Ceneral p%in!s %u!, an %rdinary I$T user 2h% &%urses his &%##uni&a!i%n !hr%uh a seri&e pr%ider, #us! %' ne&essi!y dis&l%se !% !he la!!er, a !hird pers%n, !he !ra''i& da!a needed '%r &%nne&!in hi# !% !he

re&ipien! I$T user. F%r e>a#ple, an I$T user 2h% 2ri!es a !e>! #essae in!ended '%r an%!her I$T user #us!'urnish his seri&e pr%ider 2i!h his &ellph%ne nu#ber and !he &ellph%ne nu#ber %' his re&ipien!a&&%#panyin !he #essae sen!. I! is !his in'%r#a!i%n !ha! &rea!es !he !ra''i& da!a. Trans#i!!in &%##uni&a!i%ns

is a8in !% pu!!in a le!!er in an enel%pe pr%perly addressed, sealin i! &l%sed, and sendin i! !hr%uh !he p%s!al

seri&e. Th%se 2h% p%s! le!!ers hae n% e>pe&!a!i%ns !ha! n% %ne 2ill read !he in'%r#a!i%n appearin %u!side !heenel%pe.

$%#pu!er da!a#essaes %' all 8inds!rael a&r%ss !he in!erne! in pa&8e!s and in a 2ay !ha! #ay be li8ened !%

par&els %' le!!ers %r !hins !ha! are sen! !hr%uh !he p%s!s. hen da!a is sen! 'r%# any %ne s%ur&e, !he &%n!en! is

br%8en up in!% pa&8e!s and ar%und ea&h %' !hese pa&8e!s is a 2rapper %r header. This header &%n!ains !he !ra''i&da!a0 in'%r#a!i%n !ha! !ells &%#pu!ers 2here !he pa&8e! %riina!ed, 2ha! 8ind %' da!a is in !he pa&8e! ("M",

%i&e &all, ide%, in!erne! &ha! #essaes, e#ail, %nline br%2sin da!a, e!&.), 2here !he pa&8e! is %in, and h%2!he pa&8e! 'i!s !%e!her 2i!h %!her pa&8e!s.74 The di''eren&e is !ha! !ra''i& da!a sen! !hr%uh !he in!erne! a! !i#esa&r%ss !he %&ean d% n%! dis&l%se !he a&!ual na#es and addresses (residen!ial %r %''i&e) %' !he sender and !he

re&ipien!, %nly !heir &%ded in!erne! pr%!%&%l (IP) addresses. The pa&8e!s !rael 'r%# %ne &%#pu!er sys!e# !%

an%!her 2here !heir &%n!en!s are pie&ed ba&8 !%e!her.

"e&!i%n 1- d%es n%! per#i! la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies !% l%%8 in!% !he &%n!en!s %' !he #essaes and un&%er!he iden!i!ies %' !he sender and !he re&ipien!.

F%r e>a#ple, 2hen %ne &alls !% spea8 !% an%!her !hr%uh his &ellph%ne, !he seri&e pr%iders &%##uni&a!i%ns

sys!e# 2ill pu! his %i&e #essae in!% pa&8e!s and send !he# !% !he %!her pers%ns &ellph%ne 2here !hey are

re'i!!ed !%e!her and heard. The la!!ers sp%8en reply is sen! !% !he &aller in !he sa#e 2ay. T% be &%nne&!ed by!he seri&e pr%ider, !he sender reeals his &ellph%ne nu#ber !% !he seri&e pr%ider 2hen he pu!s his &all

!hr%uh. @e als% reeals !he &ellph%ne nu#ber !% !he pers%n he &alls. The %!her 2ays %' &%##uni&a!in

ele&!r%ni&ally '%ll%2 !he sa#e basi& pa!!ern.

In "#i!h . Maryland,75 &i!ed by !he "%li&i!%r Ceneral, !he Uni!ed "!a!es "upre#e $%ur! reas%ned !ha! !eleph%neusers in !he +*s #us! reali3e !ha! !hey ne&essarily &%ney ph%ne nu#bers !% !he !eleph%ne &%#pany in %rder !%

&%#ple!e a &all. Tha! $%ur! ruled !ha! een i' !here is an e>pe&!a!i%n !ha! ph%ne nu#bers %ne dials sh%uld

re#ain pria!e, su&h e>pe&!a!i%n is n%! %ne !ha! s%&ie!y is prepared !% re&%ni3e as reas%nable.

In #u&h !he sa#e 2ay, I$T users #us! 8n%2 !ha! !hey &ann%! &%##uni&a!e %r e>&hane da!a 2i!h %ne an%!her

%er &yberspa&e e>&ep! !hr%uh s%#e seri&e pr%iders !% 2h%# !hey #us! sub#i! &er!ain !ra''i& da!a !ha! areneeded '%r a su&&ess'ul &yberspa&e &%##uni&a!i%n. The &%neyan&e %' !his da!a !a8es !he# %u! %' !he pria!e

sphere, #a8in !he e>pe&!a!i%n !% pria&y in reard !% !he# an e>pe&!a!i%n !ha! s%&ie!y is n%! prepared !%re&%ni3e as reas%nable.

The $%ur!, h%2eer, arees 2i!h 9us!i&es $arpi% and ;ri%n !ha! 2hen see#inly rand%# bi!s %' !ra''i& da!a are

a!hered in bul8, p%%led !%e!her, and analy3ed, !hey reeal pa!!erns %' a&!ii!ies 2hi&h &an !hen be used !%

&rea!e pr%'iles %' !he pers%ns under sureillan&e. i!h en%uh !ra''i& da!a, analys!s #ay be able !% de!er#ine a pers%ns &l%se ass%&ia!i%ns, relii%us ie2s, p%li!i&al a''ilia!i%ns, een se>ual pre'eren&es. "u&h in'%r#a!i%n is

li8ely bey%nd 2ha! !he publi& #ay e>pe&! !% be dis&l%sed, and &learly 'alls 2i!hin #a!!ers pr%!e&!ed by !he rih!







!% pria&y. ;u! has !he pr%&edure !ha! "e&!i%n 1- %' !he la2 pr%ides been dra2n narr%2ly en%uh !% pr%!e&!

indiidual rih!s

"e&!i%n 1- e#p%2ers la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies, B2i!h due &ause,B !% &%lle&! %r re&%rd by !e&hni&al %r

ele&!r%ni& #eans !ra''i& da!a in real6!i#e. Pe!i!i%ners p%in! %u! !ha! !he phrase Bdue &auseB has n% pre&eden! in

la2 %r /urispruden&e and !ha! 2he!her !here is due &ause %r n%! is le'! !% !he dis&re!i%n %' !he p%li&e. eplyin !%

!his, !he "%li&i!%r Ceneral asser!s !ha! $%nress is n%! re=uired !% de'ine !he #eanin %' eery 2%rd i! uses indra'!in !he la2.

Indeed, &%ur!s are able !% sae aue pr%isi%ns %' la2 !hr%uh s!a!u!%ry &%ns!ru&!i%n. ;u! !he &yber&ri#e la2

dealin 2i!h a n%el si!ua!i%n, 'ails !% hin! a! !he #eanin i! in!ends '%r !he phrase Bdue &ause.B The "%li&i!%rCeneral sues!s !ha! Bdue &auseB sh%uld #ean B/us! reas%n %r #%!ieB and Badheren&e !% a la2'ul pr%&edure.B

;u! !he $%ur! &ann%! dra2 !his #eanin sin&e "e&!i%n 1- d%es n%! een b%!her !% rela!e !he &%lle&!i%n %' da!a !%

!he pr%bable &%##issi%n %' a par!i&ular &ri#e. I! /us! says, B2i!h due &ause,B !hus /us!i'yin a eneral a!herin

%' da!a. I! is a8in !% !he use %' a eneral sear&h 2arran! !ha! !he $%ns!i!u!i%n pr%hibi!s.

Due &ause is als% n%! des&rip!ie %' !he purp%se '%r 2hi&h da!a &%lle&!i%n 2ill be used. ill !he la2 en'%r&e#en!

aen&ies use !he !ra''i& da!a !% iden!i'y !he perpe!ra!%r %' a &yber a!!a&8 Or 2ill i! be used !% build up a &ase

aains! an iden!i'ied suspe&! $an !he da!a be used !% preen! &yber&ri#es 'r%# happenin

The au!h%ri!y !ha! "e&!i%n 1- ies la2 en'%r&e#en! aen&ies is !%% s2eepin and la&8s res!rain!. hile i! says!ha! !ra''i& da!a &%lle&!i%n sh%uld n%! dis&l%se iden!i!ies %r &%n!en! da!a, su&h res!rain! is bu! an illusi%n.

Ad#i!!edly, n%!hin &an preen! la2 en'%r&e#en! aen&ies h%ldin !hese da!a in !heir hands 'r%# l%%8in in!%

!he iden!i!y %' !heir sender %r re&eier and 2ha! !he da!a &%n!ains. This 2ill unne&essarily e>p%se !he &i!i3enry !%lea8ed in'%r#a!i%n %r, 2%rse, !% e>!%r!i%n 'r%# &er!ain bad ele#en!s in !hese aen&ies.

"e&!i%n 1-, %' &%urse, li#i!s !he &%lle&!i%n %' !ra''i& da!a !% !h%se Bass%&ia!ed 2i!h spe&i'ied &%##uni&a!i%ns.B

;u! !his supp%sed li#i!a!i%n is n% li#i!a!i%n a! all sin&e, eiden!ly, i! is !he la2 en'%r&e#en! aen&ies !ha! 2%uld

spe&i'y !he !are! &%##uni&a!i%ns. The p%2er is ir!ually li#i!less, enablin la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies !%enae in B'ishin e>pedi!i%n,B &h%%sin 2ha!eer spe&i'ied &%##uni&a!i%n !hey 2an!. This eiden!ly !hrea!ens

!he rih! %' indiiduals !% pria&y.

The "%li&i!%r Ceneral p%in!s %u! !ha! "e&!i%n 1- needs !% au!h%ri3e &%lle&!i%n %' !ra''i& da!a Bin real !i#eB

be&ause i! is n%! p%ssible !% e! a &%ur! 2arran! !ha! 2%uld au!h%ri3e !he sear&h %' 2ha! is a8in !% a B#%inehi&le.B ;u! 2arran!less sear&h is ass%&ia!ed 2i!h a p%li&e %''i&ers de!er#ina!i%n %' pr%bable &ause !ha! a

&ri#e has been &%##i!!ed, !ha! !here is n% %pp%r!uni!y '%r e!!in a 2arran!, and !ha! unless !he sear&h is

i##edia!ely &arried %u!, !he !hin !% be sear&hed s!ands !% be re#%ed. These pre&%ndi!i%ns are n%! pr%ided in"e&!i%n 1-.

The "%li&i!%r Ceneral is h%nes! en%uh !% ad#i! !ha! "e&!i%n 1- pr%ides #ini#al pr%!e&!i%n !% in!erne! users

and !ha! !he pr%&edure enisi%ned by !he la2 &%uld be be!!er sered by pr%idin '%r #%re r%bus! sa'euards.

@is bare assuran&e !ha! la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies 2ill n%! abuse !he pr%isi%ns %' "e&!i%n 1- is %' &%urse n%!en%uh. The ran! %' !he p%2er !% !ra&8 &yberspa&e &%##uni&a!i%ns in real !i#e and de!er#ine !heir s%ur&es

and des!ina!i%ns #us! be narr%2ly dra2n !% pre&lude abuses.7

Pe!i!i%ners als% as8 !ha! !he $%ur! s!ri8e d%2n "e&!i%n 1- '%r bein i%la!ie %' !he %id6'%r6aueness d%&!rine

and !he %erbread!h d%&!rine. These d%&!rines h%2eer, hae been &%nsis!en!ly held by !his $%ur! !% apply %nly!% 'ree spee&h &ases. ;u! "e&!i%n 1- %n i!s %2n nei!her reula!es n%r punishes any !ype %' spee&h. There'%re,

su&h analysis is unne&essary.





This $%ur! is #ind'ul !ha! adan&es in !e&hn%l%y all%2 !he %ern#en! and 8indred ins!i!u!i%ns !% #%ni!%r

indiiduals and pla&e !he# under sureillan&e in 2ays !ha! hae prei%usly been i#pra&!i&al %r een i#p%ssibleBAll !he '%r&es %' a !e&hn%l%i&al ae > > > %pera!e !% narr%2 !he area %' pria&y and 'a&ili!a!e in!rusi%ns in!% i!.

In #%dern !er#s, !he &apa&i!y !% #ain!ain and supp%r! !his en&lae %' pria!e li'e #ar8s !he di''eren&e be!2een

a de#%&ra!i& and a !%!ali!arian s%&ie!y.B7? The $%ur! #us! ensure !ha! la2s see8in !% !a8e adan!ae %' !hese!e&hn%l%ies be 2ri!!en 2i!h spe&i'i&i!y and de'ini!eness as !% ensure respe&! '%r !he rih!s !ha! !he $%ns!i!u!i%n

uaran!ees.

"e&!i%n 14 %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%n 14 pr%ides0

"e&. 14. Presera!i%n %' $%#pu!er Da!a. The in!eri!y %' !ra''i& da!a and subs&riber in'%r#a!i%n rela!in !%&%##uni&a!i%n seri&es pr%ided by a seri&e pr%ider shall be presered '%r a #ini#u# peri%d %' si> (?)

#%n!hs 'r%# !he da!e %' !he !ransa&!i%n. $%n!en! da!a shall be si#ilarly presered '%r si> (?) #%n!hs 'r%# !he

da!e %' re&eip! %' !he %rder 'r%# la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies re=uirin i!s presera!i%n.

La2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies #ay %rder a %ne6!i#e e>!ensi%n '%r an%!her si> (?) #%n!hs0 Pr%ided, Tha! %n&e&%#pu!er da!a presered, !rans#i!!ed %r s!%red by a seri&e pr%ider is used as eiden&e in a &ase, !he #ere

'urnishin !% su&h seri&e pr%ider %' !he !rans#i!!al d%&u#en! !% !he O''i&e %' !he Pr%se&u!%r shall be dee#ed an%!i'i&a!i%n !% presere !he &%#pu!er da!a un!il !he !er#ina!i%n %' !he &ase.

The seri&e pr%ider %rdered !% presere &%#pu!er da!a shall 8eep &%n'iden!ial !he %rder and i!s &%#plian&e.

Pe!i!i%ners in C.. -*44717+ &lai# !ha! "e&!i%n 14 &%ns!i!u!es an undue depria!i%n %' !he rih! !% pr%per!y

They li8en !he da!a presera!i%n %rder !ha! la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies are !% issue as a '%r# %' arnish#en! %'

pers%nal pr%per!y in &iil '%r'ei!ure pr%&eedins. "u&h %rder preen!s in!erne! users 'r%# a&&essin and

disp%sin %' !ra''i& da!a !ha! essen!ially bel%n !% !he#.

N% d%ub!, !he &%n!en!s %' #a!erials sen! %r re&eied !hr%uh !he in!erne! bel%n !% !heir au!h%rs %r re&ipien!s and

are !% be &%nsidered pria!e &%##uni&a!i%ns. ;u! i! is n%! &lear !ha! a seri&e pr%ider has an %blia!i%n !%inde'ini!ely 8eep a &%py %' !he sa#e as !hey pass i!s sys!e# '%r !he bene'i! %' users. ;y ir!ue %' "e&!i%n 14h%2eer, !he la2 n%2 re=uires seri&e pr%iders !% 8eep !ra''i& da!a and subs&riber in'%r#a!i%n rela!in !%

&%##uni&a!i%n seri&es '%r a! leas! si> #%n!hs 'r%# !he da!e %' !he !ransa&!i%n and !h%se rela!in !% &%n!en!

da!a '%r a! leas! si> #%n!hs 'r%# re&eip! %' !he %rder '%r !heir presera!i%n.

A&!ually, !he user %uh! !% hae 8ep! a &%py %' !ha! da!a 2hen i! &r%ssed his &%#pu!er i' he 2as s% #inded. Theseri&e pr%ider has neer assu#ed resp%nsibili!y '%r !heir l%ss %r dele!i%n 2hile in i!s 8eep.

A! any ra!e, as !he "%li&i!%r Ceneral &%rre&!ly p%in!s %u!, !he da!a !ha! seri&e pr%iders presere %n %rders %'

la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies are n%! #ade ina&&essible !% users by reas%n %' !he issuan&e %' su&h %rders. The

pr%&ess %' preserin da!a 2ill n%! unduly ha#per !he n%r#al !rans#issi%n %r use %' !he sa#e.


"e&!i%n 15 pr%ides0

"e&. 15. Dis&l%sure %' $%#pu!er Da!a. La2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies, up%n se&urin a &%ur! 2arran!, shall

issue an %rder re=uirin any pers%n %r seri&e pr%ider !% dis&l%se %r sub#i! subs&ribers in'%r#a!i%n, !ra''i&

da!a %r relean! da!a in hisGi!s p%ssessi%n %r &%n!r%l 2i!hin seen!y6!2% (+-) h%urs 'r%# re&eip! %' !he %rder in







rela!i%n !% a alid &%#plain! %''i&ially d%&8e!ed and assined '%r ines!ia!i%n and !he dis&l%sure is ne&essary

and relean! '%r !he purp%se %' ines!ia!i%n.

The pr%&ess enisi%ned in "e&!i%n 15 is bein li8ened !% !he issuan&e %' a subp%ena. Pe!i!i%ners %b/e&!i%n is

!ha! !he issuan&e %' subp%enas is a /udi&ial 'un&!i%n. ;u! i! is 2ell6se!!led !ha! !he p%2er !% issue subp%enas is

n%! e>&lusiely a /udi&ial 'un&!i%n. E>e&u!ie aen&ies hae !he p%2er !% issue subp%ena as an ad/un&! %' !heir

ines!ia!%ry p%2ers.7

;esides, 2ha! "e&!i%n 15 enisi%ns is #erely !he en'%r&e#en! %' a duly issued &%ur! 2arran!, a 'un&!i%n usuallyl%ded in !he hands %' la2 en'%r&ers !% enable !he# !% &arry %u! !heir e>e&u!ie 'un&!i%ns. The pres&ribed

pr%&edure '%r dis&l%sure 2%uld n%! &%ns!i!u!e an unla2'ul sear&h %r sei3ure n%r 2%uld i! i%la!e !he pria&y %'&%##uni&a!i%ns and &%rresp%nden&e. Dis&l%sure &an be #ade %nly a'!er /udi&ial in!eren!i%n.


"e&!i%n 1 pr%ides0

"e&. 1. "ear&h, "ei3ure and E>a#ina!i%n %' $%#pu!er Da!a. here a sear&h and sei3ure 2arran! is pr%perly

issued, !he la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies shall li8e2ise hae !he '%ll%2in p%2ers and du!ies.

i!hin !he !i#e peri%d spe&i'ied in !he 2arran!, !% &%ndu&! in!er&ep!i%n, as de'ined in !his A&!, and0

(a) T% se&ure a &%#pu!er sys!e# %r a &%#pu!er da!a s!%rae #ediu#<

(b) T% #a8e and re!ain a &%py %' !h%se &%#pu!er da!a se&ured<

(&) T% #ain!ain !he in!eri!y %' !he relean! s!%red &%#pu!er da!a<

(d) T% &%ndu&! '%rensi& analysis %r e>a#ina!i%n %' !he &%#pu!er da!a s!%rae #ediu#< and

(e) T% render ina&&essible %r re#%e !h%se &%#pu!er da!a in !he a&&essed &%#pu!er %r &%#pu!er and&%##uni&a!i%ns ne!2%r8.

Pursuan! !here%', !he la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies #ay %rder any pers%n 2h% has 8n%2lede ab%u! !he'un&!i%nin %' !he &%#pu!er sys!e# and !he #easures !% pr%!e&! and presere !he &%#pu!er da!a !herein !%

pr%ide, as is reas%nable, !he ne&essary in'%r#a!i%n, !% enable !he under!a8in %' !he sear&h, sei3ure and

e>a#ina!i%n.

La2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies #ay re=ues! '%r an e>!ensi%n %' !i#e !% &%#ple!e !he e>a#ina!i%n %' !he &%#pu!er

da!a s!%rae #ediu# and !% #a8e a re!urn !here%n bu! in n% &ase '%r a peri%d l%ner !han !hir!y (4*) days 'r%#

da!e %' appr%al by !he &%ur!.

Pe!i!i%ners &hallene "e&!i%n 1 %n !he assu#p!i%n !ha! i! 2ill supplan! es!ablished sear&h and sei3ure pr%&edures. On i!s 'a&e, h%2eer, "e&!i%n 1 #erely enu#era!es !he du!ies %' la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies !ha!

2%uld ensure !he pr%per &%lle&!i%n, presera!i%n, and use %' &%#pu!er sys!e# %r da!a !ha! hae been sei3ed by

ir!ue %' a &%ur! 2arran!. The e>er&ise %' !hese du!ies d% n%! p%se any !hrea! %n !he rih!s %' !he pers%n 'r%#

2h%# !hey 2ere !a8en. "e&!i%n 1 d%es n%! appear !% supersede e>is!in sear&h and sei3ure rules bu! #erelysupple#en!s !he#.

"e&!i%n 1+ %' !he $yber&ri#e La2





"e&!i%n 1+ pr%ides0

"e&. 1+. Des!ru&!i%n %' $%#pu!er Da!a. Up%n e>pira!i%n %' !he peri%ds as pr%ided in "e&!i%ns 14 and 1,seri&e pr%iders and la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies, as !he &ase #ay be, shall i##edia!ely and &%#ple!ely

des!r%y !he &%#pu!er da!a sub/e&! %' a presera!i%n and e>a#ina!i%n.

"e&!i%n 1+ 2%uld hae !he &%#pu!er da!a, prei%us sub/e&! %' presera!i%n %r e>a#ina!i%n, des!r%yed %r dele!ed

up%n !he lapse %' !he pres&ribed peri%d. The "%li&i!%r Ceneral /us!i'ies !his as ne&essary !% &lear up !he seri&e

pr%iders s!%rae sys!e#s and preen! %erl%ad. I! 2%uld als% ensure !ha! ines!ia!i%ns are =ui&8ly &%n&luded.

Pe!i!i%ners &lai# !ha! su&h des!ru&!i%n %' &%#pu!er da!a sub/e&! %' prei%us presera!i%n %r e>a#ina!i%n i%la!es

!he users rih! aains! depria!i%n %' pr%per!y 2i!h%u! due pr%&ess %' la2. ;u!, as already s!a!ed, i! is un&lear

!ha! !he user has a de#andable rih! !% re=uire !he seri&e pr%ider !% hae !ha! &%py %' !he da!a saedinde'ini!ely '%r hi# in i!s s!%rae sys!e#. I' he 2an!ed !he# presered, he sh%uld hae saed !he# in his

&%#pu!er 2hen he enera!ed !he da!a %r re&eied i!. @e &%uld als% re=ues! !he seri&e pr%ider '%r a &%py be'%re

i! is dele!ed.


"e&!i%n 17 e#p%2ers !he Depar!#en! %' 9us!i&e !% res!ri&! %r bl%&8 a&&ess !% &%#pu!er da!a0

"e&. 17. es!ri&!in %r ;l%&8in A&&ess !% $%#pu!er Da!a. hen a &%#pu!er da!a is pri#a 'a&ie '%und !% be

in i%la!i%n %' !he pr%isi%ns %' !his A&!, !he DO9 shall issue an %rder !% res!ri&! %r bl%&8 a&&ess !% su&h

&%#pu!er da!a.

Pe!i!i%ners &%n!es! "e&!i%n 17 in !ha! i! s!i'les 'reed%# %' e>pressi%n and i%la!es !he rih! aains! unreas%nablesear&hes and sei3ures. The "%li&i!%r Ceneral &%n&edes !ha! !his pr%isi%n #ay be un&%ns!i!u!i%nal. ;u! sin&e

la2s en/%y a presu#p!i%n %' &%ns!i!u!i%nali!y, !he $%ur! #us! sa!is'y i!sel' !ha! "e&!i%n 17 indeed i%la!es !he

'reed%# and rih! #en!i%ned.

$%#pu!er da!a77 #ay re'er !% en!ire pr%ra#s %r lines %' &%de, in&ludin #al2are, as 2ell as 'iles !ha! &%n!ain!e>!s, i#aes, audi%, %r ide% re&%rdins. i!h%u! hain !% % in!% a len!hy dis&ussi%n %' pr%per!y rih!s in

!he dii!al spa&e, i! is indispu!able !ha! &%#pu!er da!a, pr%du&ed %r &rea!ed by !heir 2ri!ers %r au!h%rs #ay

&%ns!i!u!e pers%nal pr%per!y. $%nse=uen!ly, !hey are pr%!e&!ed 'r%# unreas%nable sear&hes and sei3ures, 2he!her2hile s!%red in !heir pers%nal &%#pu!ers %r in !he seri&e pr%iders sys!e#s.

"e&!i%n -, Ar!i&le III %' !he 17+ $%ns!i!u!i%n pr%ides !ha! !he rih! !% be se&ure in %nes papers and e''e&!s

aains! unreas%nable sear&hes and sei3ures %' 2ha!eer na!ure and '%r any purp%se shall be ini%lable. Fur!her

i! s!a!es !ha! n% sear&h 2arran! shall issue e>&ep! up%n pr%bable &ause !% be de!er#ined pers%nally by !he /ude@ere, !he C%ern#en!, in e''e&!, sei3es and pla&es !he &%#pu!er da!a under i!s &%n!r%l and disp%si!i%n 2i!h%u! a

2arran!. The Depar!#en! %' 9us!i&e %rder &ann%! subs!i!u!e '%r /udi&ial sear&h 2arran!.

The &%n!en! %' !he &%#pu!er da!a &an als% &%ns!i!u!e spee&h. In su&h a &ase, "e&!i%n 17 %pera!es as a res!ri&!i%n

%n !he 'reed%# %' e>pressi%n %er &yberspa&e. $er!ainly n%! all '%r#s %' spee&h are pr%!e&!ed. Leisla!ure #ay2i!hin &%ns!i!u!i%nal b%unds, de&lare &er!ain 8inds %' e>pressi%n as illeal. ;u! '%r an e>e&u!ie %''i&er !% sei3e

&%n!en! alleed !% be unpr%!e&!ed 2i!h%u! any /udi&ial 2arran!, i! is n%! en%uh '%r hi# !% be %' !he %pini%n !ha!

su&h &%n!en! i%la!es s%#e la2, '%r !% d% s% 2%uld #a8e hi# /ude, /ury, and e>e&u!i%ner all r%lled in!% %ne. 1**

N%! %nly d%es "e&!i%n 17 pre&lude any /udi&ial in!eren!i%n, bu! i! als% disreards /urispruden!ial uidelineses!ablished !% de!er#ine !he alidi!y %' res!ri&!i%ns %n spee&h. es!rain!s %n 'ree spee&h are enerally ealua!ed

%n %ne %' %r a &%#bina!i%n %' !hree !es!s0 !he daner%us !enden&y d%&!rine, !he balan&in %' in!eres! !es!, and !he







&lear and presen! daner rule.1*1 "e&!i%n 17, h%2eer, #erely re=uires !ha! !he da!a !% be bl%&8ed be '%und pri#a

'a&ie in i%la!i%n %' any pr%isi%n %' !he &yber&ri#e la2. Ta8in "e&!i%n ? in!% &%nsidera!i%n, !his &an a&!ually be #ade !% apply in rela!i%n !% any penal pr%isi%n. I! d%es n%! !a8e in!% &%nsidera!i%n any %' !he !hree !es!s

#en!i%ned ab%e.

The $%ur! is !here'%re &%#pelled !% s!ri8e d%2n "e&!i%n 17 '%r bein i%la!ie %' !he &%ns!i!u!i%nal uaran!ees

!% 'reed%# %' e>pressi%n and aains! unreas%nable sear&hes and sei3ures.

"e&!i%n -* %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%n -* pr%ides0

"e&. -*. N%n&%#plian&e. Failure !% &%#ply 2i!h !he pr%isi%ns %' $hap!er IH here%' spe&i'i&ally !he %rders

'r%# la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies shall be punished as a i%la!i%n %' Presiden!ial De&ree N%. 1-7 2i!h

i#pris%n#en! %' prisi%n &%rre&!i%nal in i!s #a>i#u# peri%d %r a 'ine %' One hundred !h%usand pes%s(Php1**,***.**) %r b%!h, '%r ea&h and eery n%n&%#plian&e 2i!h an %rder issued by la2 en'%r&e#en

au!h%ri!ies.

Pe!i!i%ners &hallene "e&!i%n -*, allein !ha! i! is a bill %' a!!ainder. The aru#en! is !ha! !he #ere 'ailure !%

&%#ply &%ns!i!u!es a leisla!ie 'indin %' uil!, 2i!h%u! reard !% si!ua!i%ns 2here n%n6&%#plian&e 2%uld bereas%nable %r alid.

;u! sin&e !he n%n6&%#plian&e 2%uld be punished as a i%la!i%n %' Presiden!ial De&ree (P.D.) 1-7, 1*- "e&!i%n -*

ne&essarily in&%rp%ra!es ele#en!s %' !he %''ense 2hi&h are de'ined !herein. I' $%nress had in!ended '%r "e&!i%n-* !% &%ns!i!u!e an %''ense in and %' i!sel', i! 2%uld n%! hae had !% #a8e re'eren&e !% any %!her s!a!ue %r

pr%isi%n.

P.D. 1-7 s!a!es0

"e&!i%n 1. The penal!y %' prisi%n &%rre&&i%nal in i!s #a>i#u# peri%d, %r a 'ine ranin 'r%# 1,*** !% ?,***

pes%s, %r b%!h, shall be i#p%sed up%n any pers%n 2h% 8n%2inly %r 2ill'ully %bs!ru&!s, i#pedes, 'rus!ra!es %rdelays !he apprehensi%n %' suspe&!s and !he ines!ia!i%n and pr%se&u!i%n %' &ri#inal &ases by &%##i!!in any

%' !he '%ll%2in a&!s0

> > >.

Thus, !he a&! %' n%n6&%#plian&e, '%r i! !% be punishable, #us! s!ill be d%ne B8n%2inly %r 2ill'ully.B There #us!s!ill be a /udi&ial de!er#ina!i%n %' uil!, durin 2hi&h, as !he "%li&i!%r Ceneral assu#es, de'ense and

/us!i'i&a!i%ns '%r n%n6&%#plian&e #ay be raised. Thus, "e&!i%n -* is alid ins%'ar as i! applies !% !he pr%isi%ns

%' $hap!er IH 2hi&h are n%! s!ru&8 d%2n by !he $%ur!.

"e&!i%ns -5 and -?(a) %' !he $yber&ri#e La2

"e&!i%ns -5 and -?(a) pr%ide0

"e&. -5. $yber&ri#e Ines!ia!i%n and $%%rdina!in $en!er.– There is hereby &rea!ed, 2i!hin !hir!y (4*) days

'r%# !he e''e&!ii!y %' !his A&!, an in!er6aen&y b%dy !% be 8n%2n as !he $yber&ri#e Ines!ia!i%n and

$%%rdina!in $en!er ($I$$), under !he ad#inis!ra!ie superisi%n %' !he O''i&e %' !he Presiden!, '%r p%li&y&%%rdina!i%n a#%n &%n&erned aen&ies and '%r !he '%r#ula!i%n and en'%r&e#en! %' !he na!i%nal &yberse&uri!y

plan.







"e&. -?. P%2ers and Fun&!i%ns.– The $I$$ shall hae !he '%ll%2in p%2ers and 'un&!i%ns0

(a) T% '%r#ula!e a na!i%nal &yberse&uri!y plan and e>!end i##edia!e assis!an&e %' real !i#e &%##issi%n %'&yber&ri#e %''enses !hr%uh a &%#pu!er e#eren&y resp%nse !ea# ($ET)< > > >.

Pe!i!i%ners #ainly &%n!end !ha! $%nress inalidly delea!ed i!s p%2er 2hen i! ae !he $yber&ri#e

Ines!ia!i%n and $%%rdina!in $en!er ($I$$) !he p%2er !% '%r#ula!e a na!i%nal &yberse&uri!y plan 2i!h%u! any

su''i&ien! s!andards %r para#e!ers '%r i! !% '%ll%2.

In %rder !% de!er#ine 2he!her !here is undue delea!i%n %' leisla!ie p%2er, !he $%ur! has ad%p!ed !2% !es!s!he &%#ple!eness !es! and !he su''i&ien! s!andard !es!. Under !he 'irs! !es!, !he la2 #us! be &%#ple!e in all i!s

!er#s and &%ndi!i%ns 2hen i! leaes !he leisla!ure su&h !ha! 2hen i! rea&hes !he delea!e, !he %nly !hin he 2ill

hae !% d% is !% en'%r&e i!.1aphi1 The se&%nd !es! #anda!es ade=ua!e uidelines %r li#i!a!i%ns in !he la2 !%de!er#ine !he b%undaries %' !he delea!es au!h%ri!y and preen! !he delea!i%n 'r%# runnin ri%!.1*4

@ere, !he &yber&ri#e la2 is &%#ple!e in i!sel' 2hen i! dire&!ed !he $I$$ !% '%r#ula!e and i#ple#en! a na!i%nal

&yberse&uri!y plan. Als%, &%n!rary !% !he p%si!i%n %' !he pe!i!i%ners, !he la2 ae su''i&ien! s!andards '%r !he

$I$$ !% '%ll%2 2hen i! pr%ided a de'ini!i%n %' &yberse&uri!y.

$yberse&uri!y re'ers !% !he &%lle&!i%n %' !%%ls, p%li&ies, ris8 #anae#en! appr%a&hes, a&!i%ns, !rainin, bes! pra&!i&es, assuran&e and !e&hn%l%ies !ha! &an be used !% pr%!e&! &yber enir%n#en! and %rani3a!i%n and users

asse!s.1*5 This de'ini!i%n seres as !he para#e!ers 2i!hin 2hi&h $I$$ sh%uld 2%r8 in '%r#ula!in !he

&yberse&uri!y plan.

Fur!her, !he '%r#ula!i%n %' !he &yberse&uri!y plan is &%nsis!en! 2i!h !he p%li&y %' !he la2 !% Bpreen! and &%#ba!

su&h Q&yberR %''enses by 'a&ili!a!in !heir de!e&!i%n, ines!ia!i%n, and pr%se&u!i%n a! b%!h !he d%#es!i& and

in!erna!i%nal leels, and by pr%idin arrane#en!s '%r 'as! and reliable in!erna!i%nal &%%pera!i%n.B1* This

p%li&y is &learly ad%p!ed in !he in!eres! %' la2 and %rder, 2hi&h has been &%nsidered as su''i&iens!andard.1*? @en&e, "e&!i%ns -5 and -?(a) are li8e2ise alid.

@EEFOE, !he $%ur! DE$LAE"0

1. HOID '%r bein UN$ON"TITUTIONAL0

a. "e&!i%n 5(&)(4) %' epubli& A&! 1*1+ !ha! penali3es p%s!in %' uns%li&i!ed &%##er&ial &%##uni&a!i%ns<

b. "e&!i%n 1- !ha! au!h%ri3es !he &%lle&!i%n %r re&%rdin %' !ra''i& da!a in real6!i#e< and

&. "e&!i%n 17 %' !he sa#e A&! !ha! au!h%ri3es !he Depar!#en! %' 9us!i&e !% res!ri&! %r bl%&8 a&&ess !% suspe&!ed$%#pu!er Da!a.

-. HALID and $ON"TITUTIONAL0

a. "e&!i%n 5(a)(1) !ha! penali3es a&&essin a &%#pu!er sys!e# 2i!h%u! rih!<

b. "e&!i%n 5(a)(4) !ha! penali3es da!a in!er'eren&e, in&ludin !rans#issi%n %' iruses<

&. "e&!i%n 5(a)(?) !ha! penali3es &yber6s=ua!!in %r a&=uirin d%#ain na#e %er !he in!erne! in bad 'ai!h !% !he pre/udi&e %' %!hers<











d. "e&!i%n 5(b)(4) !ha! penali3es iden!i!y !he'! %r !he use %r #isuse %' iden!i'yin in'%r#a!i%n bel%nin !%

an%!her<

e. "e&!i%n 5(&)(1) !ha! penali3es &yberse> %r !he las&ii%us e>hibi!i%n %' se>ual %rans %r se>ual a&!ii!y '%r

'a%r %r &%nsidera!i%n<

'. "e&!i%n 5(&)(-) !ha! penali3es !he pr%du&!i%n %' &hild p%rn%raphy<

. "e&!i%n ? !ha! i#p%ses penal!ies %ne deree hiher 2hen &ri#es de'ined under !he eised Penal $%de are&%##i!!ed 2i!h !he use %' in'%r#a!i%n and &%##uni&a!i%ns !e&hn%l%ies<

h. "e&!i%n !ha! pres&ribes !he penal!ies '%r &yber&ri#es<

i. "e&!i%n 14 !ha! per#i!s la2 en'%r&e#en! au!h%ri!ies !% re=uire seri&e pr%iders !% presere !ra''i& da!a and

subs&riber in'%r#a!i%n as 2ell as spe&i'ied &%n!en! da!a '%r si> #%n!hs<

/. "e&!i%n 15 !ha! au!h%ri3es !he dis&l%sure %' &%#pu!er da!a under a &%ur!6issued 2arran!<

8. "e&!i%n 1 !ha! au!h%ri3es !he sear&h, sei3ure, and e>a#ina!i%n %' &%#pu!er da!a under a &%ur!6issued

2arran!<

l. "e&!i%n 1+ !ha! au!h%ri3es !he des!ru&!i%n %' prei%usly presered &%#pu!er da!a a'!er !he e>pira!i%n %' !he

pres&ribed h%ldin peri%ds<

#. "e&!i%n -* !ha! penali3es %bs!ru&!i%n %' /us!i&e in rela!i%n !% &yber&ri#e ines!ia!i%ns<

n. "e&!i%n -5 !ha! es!ablishes a $yber&ri#e Ines!ia!i%n and $%%rdina!in $en!er ($I$$)<

%. "e&!i%n -?(a) !ha! de'ines !he $I$$s P%2ers and Fun&!i%ns< and

p. Ar!i&les 44, 45, 4?1, and 4?- %' !he eised Penal $%de !ha! penali3es libel.

Fur!her, !he $%ur! DE$LAE"0

1. "e&!i%n 5(&)(5) !ha! penali3es %nline libel as HALID and $ON"TITUTIONAL 2i!h respe&! !% !he %riinal

au!h%r %' !he p%s!< bu! HOID and UN$ON"TITUTIONAL 2i!h respe&! !% %!hers 2h% si#ply re&eie !he p%s!

and rea&! !% i!< and

-. "e&!i%n !ha! penali3es aidin %r abe!!in and a!!e#p! in !he &%##issi%n %' &yber&ri#es as HA L I D and

$ON"TITUTIONAL %nly in rela!i%n !% "e&!i%n 5(a)(1) %n Illeal A&&ess, "e&!i%n 5(a)(-) %n Illea

In!er&ep!i%n, "e&!i%n 5(a)(4) %n Da!a In!er'eren&e, "e&!i%n 5(a)(5) %n "ys!e#

In!er'eren&e, "e&!i%n 5(a)() %n Misuse %' Dei&es, "e&!i%n 5(a)(?) %n $yber6s=ua!!in, "e&!i%n 5(b)(1) %n$%#pu!er6rela!ed F%rery, "e&!i%n 5(b)(-) %n $%#pu!er6rela!ed Fraud, "e&!i%n 5(b)(4) %n $%#pu!er6rela!ed

Iden!i!y The'!, and "e&!i%n 5(&)(1) %n $yberse>< bu! HOID and UN$ON"TITUTIONAL 2i!h respe&! !%

"e&!i%ns 5(&)(-) %n $hild P%rn%raphy, 5(&)(4) %n Uns%li&i!ed $%##er&ial $%##uni&a!i%ns, and 5(&)(5) %n%nline Libel.1S2phi1

Las!ly, !he $%ur! E"OLHE" !% LEAHE T@E DETEMINATION %' !he &%rre&! appli&a!i%n %' "e&!i%n + !ha!

au!h%ri3es pr%se&u!i%n %' !he %''ender under b%!h !he eised Penal $%de and epubli& A&! 1*1+ !% a&!ual

&ases, IT@ T@E E$EPTION %' !he &ri#es %'0



1. Online libel as !% 2hi&h, &harin !he %''ender under b%!h "e&!i%n 5(&)(5) %' epubli& A&! 1*1+ and Ar!i&le

44 %' !he eised Penal $%de &%ns!i!u!es a i%la!i%n %' !he pr%s&rip!i%n aains! d%uble /e%pardy< as 2ell as

-. $hild p%rn%raphy &%##i!!ed %nline as !% 2hi&h, &harin !he %''ender under b%!h "e&!i%n 5(&)(-) %'

epubli& A&! 1*1+ and epubli& A&! 7++ %r !he An!i6$hild P%rn%raphy A&! %' -**7 als% &%ns!i!u!es a

i%la!i%n %' !he sa#e pr%s&rip!i%n, and, in respe&! !% !hese, is HOID and UN$ON"TITUTIONAL.

"O ODEED

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