bitcointalk banned in the Philippines

[Shishir99]

I don't believe they don't know what a forum is and I don't think the problem is with the forum and cryptocurrencies, but rather that the ban is the result of very high gambling activity on the forum. However, as you already wrote, the forum can still be accessed with a VPN or Tor, and if everyone used one of those (and they should), this topic wouldn't even exist.

It honestly surprises me how few people on this forum have a sense of privacy as if we were on a forum for growing flowers and ornamental plants.

All we can do is speculate things.
I don't know what gambling activity did you mean. All I see is some gambling threads and people are discussing about gambling. We rarely have gambling events sponsored by the casinos where people participate. My best guess is, they have seen the scam accusation board where players create scam accusations against the casinos. However, the government might think that this forum is involved in scam, or the scam happens in this forum, which is why they might ban access to this forum. This is bullshit actually. You cannot imagine how retard people works in government.

[Ziskinberg]

My best guess is, they have seen the scam accusation board where players create scam accusations against the casinos. However, the government might think that this forum is involved in scam, or the scam happens in this forum, which is why they might ban access to this forum. This is bullshit actually. You cannot imagine how retard people works in government.

I’m not sure how they see it or how they conclude that the forum should be blocked. But the reality in the country is that there are a lot of scams happening, and the government usually only reacts late.

Ponzi schemes keep happening, one scam collapses, then another scam operation appears again. It is like people are not learning because the government is not really helping enough. For me, it is stupid that they spend time blocking forums instead of focusing more on preventing Ponzi schemes that steal millions of pesos from desperate investors.

Just recently, this scam was shut down: SEC shuts ‘Riscoin’ over alleged crypto scam

MANILA, Philippines — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered the alleged cryptocurrency investment scheme “Riscoin” and related entities to immediately stop soliciting investments from the public over the unauthorized sale of securities.

In a cease-and-desist order dated May 14, the SEC’s Enforcement and Investor Protection Department said Riscoin, Riscoin Exchange, Riscoin Trading, League of Seagull Ltd., and Seagull Alliance had been actively offering investments through social media platforms and messaging applications such as Telegram and Bonchat.

But before it was stopped, it already scammed millions of pesos from ignorant and desperate investors.

[PX-Z]

My best guess is, they have seen the scam accusation board where players create scam accusations against the casinos. However, the government might think that this forum is involved in scam, or the scam happens in this forum, which is why they might ban access to this forum. This is bullshit actually. You cannot imagine how retard people works in government.

I’m not sure how they see it or how they conclude that the forum should be blocked. But the reality in the country is that there are a lot of scams happening, and the government usually only reacts late.

The blocking isn't necessarily related to scams. In many cases, it's more about unlicensed platforms, especially online casinos and sometimes crypto exchanges. The PH government often treats unlicensed sites as unauthorized or potentially risky, and many people end up labeling them as scams even when the issue is primarily licensing.

Another problem is that this forum has a lot of casino ANN threads that appear in google search results when people search for casino names. Because of that, the forum end up getting included in blacklists which is BS.

[hd49728]

The blocking isn't necessarily related to scams. In many cases, it's more about unlicensed platforms, especially online casinos and sometimes crypto exchanges. The PH government often treats unlicensed sites as unauthorized or potentially risky, and many people end up labeling them as scams even when the issue is primarily licensing.

I agree about license but disagree with the following point.

Another problem is that this forum has a lot of casino ANN threads that appear in google search results when people search for casino names. Because of that, the forum end up getting included in blacklists which is BS.

I really don't believe is a first place of starting for many new casinos, it could be like this in the past as if any online casino accepted Bitcoin or cryptocurrency, they would have to join this forum, and choose it a very first place for marketing. However, in recent years it's no longer true because Bitcoin and cryptocurrency adoption was bigger, and new casinos can start somewhere, operate for a while like months or years before joining this forum for their brand marketing.

[Ziskinberg]

Another problem is that this forum has a lot of casino ANN threads that appear in google search results when people search for casino names. Because of that, the forum end up getting included in blacklists which is BS.

Maybe you are right, but that is just an announcement, it is not the one directly accepting bets.

If that is their basis, then does that mean they should also block other forums where casinos have announcement threads? What about social media too, like Facebook and YouTube, where promoters are openly promoting casinos?

Why can’t they block Facebook and YouTube too? That is why the reasoning looks questionable to me. If they really want to go after gambling promotion, then they should be consistent with where they apply it.

[PX-Z]

Maybe you are right, but that is just an announcement, it is not the one directly accepting bets.

Don't underestimate human stupidity for the sake of their own good. It's obvious that this site is a forum, for discussions, yet they proceed to blacklist the site. I don't think they just automate the banning of any site's url with a url of unlicensed casinos on their lists.

Why can’t they block Facebook and YouTube too? That is why the reasoning looks questionable to me. If they really want to go after gambling promotion, then they should be consistent with where they apply it.

That won't happen, it's a different story for some regulated platform they can demand to them anytime when they like to but not for someone who isn't on their control so an outright ban is their solution.

[SquirrelJulietGarden]

Don't underestimate human stupidity for the sake of their own good. It's obvious that this site is a forum, for discussions, yet they proceed to blacklist the site. I don't think they just automate the banning of any site's url with a url of unlicensed casinos on their lists.

That won't happen, it's a different story for some regulated platform they can demand to them anytime when they like to but not for someone who isn't on their control so an outright ban is their solution.

They can do regulations carelessly but they can fix their mistakes but I don't know who are in the Philippines will make reports to the government there and ask them to lift the incorrect ban against Bitcointalk forum.

I see this ban from the government is not correct but to lift it, there will be demands from the locals there, as it is unrealistically to hope that government will realize their mistake and fix it by themselves and unban Bitcointalk forum in the nation.

If locals can use VPN to access the forum without any report sent to the government, they will feel no reasons for making reports which possibly bring more troubles to them.

[coin-investor]

Why can’t they block Facebook and YouTube too? That is why the reasoning looks questionable to me. If they really want to go after gambling promotion, then they should be consistent with where they apply it.

I don't think they can or they will; there's going to be a massive protest, and so many government institutions, news media, and personalities rely on Facebook and YouTube for their announcements and updates.
Not to mention, the Philippines ranks high in social media usage; many are even making a living on social media. They can only do that on platforms they are not familiar with.