Extent of liability of ICT Professionals and Other computer related laws

 Coding with Consequence: The Extent of ICT Professionals’ Liability and Computer Laws in
the Philippines


Written by AngelaQuinquero in 

Why ICT Professionals Must Be Legally and Ethically Accountable

In today’s digital world, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals have access to powerful tools that manage public records, sensitive data, and even government systems. Because of this, their responsibilities go beyond technical skills they must also comply with the law and uphold ethical standards.

If a programmer accidentally leaves a system vulnerable, and it gets hacked, who’s at fault?
If an IT staff member leaks confidential school records whether intentionally or not can they be sued?
The answer is YES.

 Extent of ICT Liability: When Mistakes Become Legal Offenses

ICT professionals may face:

  • Civil Liability – If someone suffers financial loss due to poor system implementation

  • Criminal Liability – If they commit, assist, or fail to prevent cybercrimes

  • Administrative Liability – If they violate internal protocols, such as in government or schools

Even negligence — like failing to install security updates — can result in major penalties.

 Laws That Define Their Responsibility

  1. RA 10175 – Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012
    Penalizes illegal access, data interference, online libel, cyber fraud, and identity theft

  2. RA 10173 – Data Privacy Act of 2012
    Protects personal data and holds IT workers accountable for breaches

  3. RA 8293 – Intellectual Property Code
    Prevents software piracy and code theft

  4. RA 8792 – E-Commerce Act
    Governs legal validity of digital contracts and transactions

  5. Code of Ethics for ICT Professionals (DICT)
    Promotes honesty, confidentiality, and social responsibility in tech roles

Real-Life Impact of Negligence and Misuse

  • In 2023, government data from COMELEC was leaked due to poor cybersecurity protocols

  • A Filipino freelancer was sued for using pirated website themes for a U.S.-based client

  • An IT staff in a university was fired for leaking student grades to outsiders

These cases show that ICT professionals are not just developers — they are guardians of digital trust.

Reflection: Responsibility Starts Now

As a student pursuing a career in IT, I once thought liability only applies to lawyers and CEOs. But I realized — every line of code I write has real-world consequences. If I don’t understand the laws today, I could accidentally break them tomorrow.

I commit to:

  • Learning and applying relevant tech laws

  • Practicing secure and ethical programming

  • Taking responsibility when things go wrong

  • Educating others about safe digital practices

“An error in the system may be forgiven. A failure to protect people’s trust may not.”

What ICT Students and Workers Should Do

  •  Study the Data Privacy Act and Cybercrime Law
  •  Avoid using pirated or unlicensed software
  •  Always get permission before handling user data
  • Document changes in systems for transparency
  •  Attend ethics training and secure coding seminars

References & Further Reading:

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