As the 2025 midterm elections approach, the Philippines’ digital landscape faces growing vulnerability to disinformation tactics from bad actors seeking to manipulate public perception. Amplifying this risk is the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI), which introduces new levels of realism and precision that demand heightened vigilance, especially during major national events when public reliance on digital platforms surges.
There has been a surge in deepfake content in the country, with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) reporting that it monitors 200 to 300 deepfake incidents daily in the Philippines. In the lead-up to the elections, such sophisticated disinformation poses a serious risk to public trust and informed decision-making. Often integrated into broader social engineering campaigns, these tactics exploit trust and urgency to mislead individuals into sharing, believing, or acting on false information.
As Filipino voters prepare to head to the polls, Palo Alto Networks, the world’s leading AI cybersecurity company, shares practical recommendations to help individuals stay vigilant and protect themselves online amid heightened digital activity during the election period.
Evaluate Digital Content Critically. As AI-generated content online becomes increasingly sophisticated, voters should assess the credibility of sources and verify information across multiple trusted channels before engaging or sharing.
Be Cautious of Suspicious Messages. Phishing remains a top tactic for threat actors. Messages requesting personal details, containing strange links, or urging immediate action should raise red flags. Always verify the authenticity of these communications through trusted channels.
Secure Personal Accounts with Multi-Factor Authentication. Voters are advised to strengthen the security of their personal accounts by enabling multi-factor authentication. This extra layer of security helps prevent unauthorized access, identity theft, data breaches, or misuse of private information.
Verify Website Authenticity. Deceptive websites often impersonate official government platforms to mislead users. Always inspect web addresses, ensuring they use legitimate domains to avoid engaging with links from unfamiliar or unverified sources.
Adopt a Zero Trust Mindset. As AI-driven threats become more convincing, voters should treat every message, link, and request with caution. Verify authenticity before engaging and keep devices updated to reduce exposure to evolving risks.
“Election periods heighten digital activity and open the door to more sophisticated, AI-driven threats,” said Steven Scheurmann, Regional Vice President for ASEAN at Palo Alto Networks. “What’s different today is the precision, scale, and speed at which disinformation can spread. Deepfakes and phishing scams are no longer obvious or amateur — they’re targeted, realistic, and timed to exploit moments of national significance. In this environment, every voter becomes a potential target. Proactive cyber hygiene isn’t just about personal safety anymore; it’s about protecting democratic trust at scale. We all have a role to play in strengthening the integrity of our digital way of life.”
The election period puts additional strain on digital spaces where information is exchanged. With AI accelerating the speed and scale of online activity, distinguishing between legitimate content and manipulation becomes increasingly challenging—and increasingly important.
This period underscores the need for shared responsibility, where platforms, institutions, and individuals all play a role in safeguarding the integrity of digital spaces. In an online environment shaped by speed and sophistication, the ability to pause, assess, and respond wisely has never been more crucial.
