The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has confirmed that GoreBox is now blocked nationwide on both the Google Play Store and Steam. Even previously installed versions of the violent sandbox game will no longer run past the loading screen.
Upon checking, the game is indeed blocked in the region. The move follows a request from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to Google, citing risks to minors. DICT Secretary Henry Aguda welcomed the decision, stressing the importance of cooperation between government and tech firms in addressing digital threats.
Steam had already implemented a temporary block, aligning with the government’s appeal. Google’s compliance ensures that GoreBox is inaccessible to new and existing users in the Philippines.
The restriction comes after the Tacloban school shooting, where investigators found one of the teenage suspects was a regular GoreBox player. The incident raised concerns about minors’ exposure to violent games and prompted CICC to push for stronger safeguards.
CICC officials emphasized that platforms like Google Play must enforce stricter safety measures to prevent minors from bypassing age restrictions. The meeting with Google also included representatives from the Department of Education and the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Council for the Welfare of Children.
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Future updates on GoreBox’s availability will depend on ongoing government monitoring and platform compliance.
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