Privacy Philippines: Is Sharing Screenshots Bad And Why?

Everyone who loves gossip loves receipts when putting the spotlight on affairs and cheating. But did you know that there are legal implications about posting your residues on social media, especially when the exchange doesn’t really involve you? 

Yep, we’re referring to an explosive incident that recently happened. Jamela Villaneuva, Anthony Jennings’s ex-girlfriend, posted screenshots of her ex’s conversations with Maris Racal on her Instagram account. Due to their chemistry, the two were the breakout stars of the teleserye Can’t Buy Me Love. 

With the explosive revelations made, another can of worms needs discussion, and this is about privacy. 

Legal Consequences

Philippine Law (and a variety of them) indicates that there are legal implications for posting private conversation screenshots. 

According to the Constitution of the Philippines, Article III, Section 3. 1, the privacy and correspondence of a Filipino citizen should be inviolable, except when the court orders it and public safety may require it. It’s Constitutional – and this makes it hard to violate.

Cadajas vs. People (2021) 

In this case, the right to privacy is defined much better. It means being away from the intrusion of people into their private activities and in “such a way as to cause humiliation to a person’s ordinary sensibilities.”

The Cadajas vs. People Case was filed because he had a girlfriend who was ten years younger than him; she was a minor, and he was twenty-four years old. He asked her for explicit photos. The girl’s mother then took screenshots of their messages together. The case was filed because Cadajas felt he was violated of his right to privacy.

As a result, the Supreme Court ruled that Cadajas’ right to privacy was not violated because it was a private individual who had gotten screenshots of his talks with his minor girlfriend. 

Furthermore, the posting of private conversations without consent may be considered as an invasion of the right of privacy. Those who post these screenshots have a likelihood of facing criminal charges as well as violations of anti-voyeurism statutes.

Cyber Libel Act

This is found in the Republic Act 10175. Lawyer Chel Diokno explained there was another possible legal consequence for those who posted these screenshots.

The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012

This Law also helps address communications. Conversations and private messages that are taken without consent are harmful – especially if used for malicious purposes and will be classified as a violation of the Law. 

Reflection on Human Nature 

A lot of things often lead people to share private screenshots without consent. Human moods are more unpredictable than nba online betting, especially if it comes from people who have been hurt, like Jam Villanueva.

The intensity of how much humans can feel might seem too much when you’re an observer, but if you’re the person themselves… I suppose it’s a different can of worms. 

However, in a burst of intense emotion, sharing screenshots might be a good option for now, but in the long term, it exposes you to a lot of risk with the Law. What we suggest is to control yourself. 

Wrapping Up

In the land of gossip, even gossip cannot deny that receipts mean possible altercations with the Law. Despite the malice of some acts meant to be exposed in screenshots, even people who have bad actions deserve the right to privacy. 

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