The Philippine government temporarily blocked access to the messaging platform Discord for several hours in late September 2026, citing concerns over extremist content and the risk of minors being exposed to harmful material. The move came after a series of school shootings across the country, including an incident in Banga, South Cotabato, where a 16-year-old student killed three others before taking his own life. Authorities linked these events to extremist groups operating on Discord, which they claimed were using the platform to radicalize young people and engage in grooming practices—where adults build trust with minors for manipulative purposes. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC), part of the Philippine Department of Digital Affairs, issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Discord and Reddit, requiring them to open offices in the Philippines or appoint local representatives and detail their age verification systems. While Reddit negotiated for more time and met with the CICC via video call, Discord submitted a letter but did not fulfill the requirement. As a result, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) blocked Discord on September 23 through major internet service providers, affecting thousands of users, including freelancers and students who relied on the platform for work and study. The government defended the block using the parens patriae doctrine, which asserts the state's responsibility to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly minors. Digital Affairs Minister Henry Aguda emphasized that the block did not violate freedom of expression but criticized Discord’s use of encryption, noting that only voice and video calls on the platform are end-to-end encrypted. After negotiations with Discord, the block was lifted on September 24. In exchange, Discord agreed to establish a "green channel" for reporting harmful content and opening an office or sending representatives to the Philippines. However, the definition of "harmful content" remains unclear, raising concerns about potential overreach. Discord highlighted its existing system, called Kodex, which allows law enforcement to request takedowns or data quickly. The platform also uses an age classification system based on user activity, though this method has drawn criticism for being imprecise. Meanwhile, Reddit has not yet set a date to open an office in the Philippines but has pledged to work with the CICC. Legal experts, including the Democracy.Net.PH association and former official Jeffrey Ian Dy, challenged the government’s right to block Discord, referencing a 2014 court case that ruled against similar powers due to concerns over freedom of expression. In France, the government can block online platforms without a court order in specific cases, such as those involving child exploitation or terrorism. However, a 2026 law banning social networks for users under 15 was deemed too strict by the Constitutional Council. French President Emmanuel Macron has since worked with European partners to align the country’s laws with the Digital Services Act, which emphasizes proportionality in regulating online platforms. If the French government were to block Discord without a major crisis, such a decision would likely face legal challenges and could be overturned. In the Philippines, the situation remains fluid, with Discord now required to open an office and send representatives, while Reddit continues to negotiate its compliance.