By Charles Ronson
The Prank That Changed Privacy Laws?
Vitaly Zdorovetskiy — the YouTuber better known for streaking across World Cup pitches and filming strangers’ reactions to things like fake arrests — was reportedly arrested in the Philippines in June 2025. Details remain vague. The official circular doesn’t mention him by name, but it dropped days later.
One can imagine the moment of panic: somewhere in Manila, a civil servant scrolling YouTube muttering, “we need a law for this.”
That law is NPC Circular No. 2025-01, and it may have just changed the game for YouTube vlogging laws in Southeast Asia.
What the New Law Actually Says
Under the new guidelines, vloggers are now expected to blur the faces of bystanders. Yes, even that man in the background selling peanuts. Yes, even that kid who wandered into your frame mid-dance challenge. The rules are vague, but the penalties are not: fines, jail time, even deportation.
What This Means (Especially if You’re a ‘Passport Bro’)
Filming a day-in-the-life video in the Philippines used to mean pointing your camera at lunch, a Jeepney, some kids playing in the street, and editing it all together with a lo-fi beat.
Now, it might mean face-blurring software, consent forms, and paperwork.
Creators are now expected to:
- Blur anyone who didn’t consent to being filmed (especially minors)
- Register with the National Privacy Commission
- Post a privacy notice on all platforms
- Communicate what data is being collected — and why
This transforms the carefree vibe of content creation into something far more bureaucratic. Imagine filming a spontaneous street interview… then spending three hours editing out the background grandma.
The Face Blur Test (And What Happened)
Out of journalistic curiosity (and, frankly, fear), I downloaded a few tools to try this out:
- CapCut – Free. The auto-blur feature did well until a man turned sideways and vanished entirely.
- DaVinci Resolve – A cinematic marvel. Unfortunately, I am not a cinematic marvel. I couldn’t figure out how to stop blurring everything.
- Adobe Premiere Pro – Precise and professional. Also, I accidentally replaced my own face with a grey square for half the video.
- YouTube Studio (Mobile) – Works in a pinch, though it treats everyone as one large pixelated mass.
Moral: auto-blur is never perfect. Always double-check before uploading — especially in markets, busy streets, or dance routines featuring strangers.
Getting Consent in the Real World
This is the part where many creators panic. But in reality, getting consent can be as simple as:
“Hey, is it cool if I film here? You might be in the background.”
If someone’s face is visible and central to your content, a quick verbal OK (or even better, a clip of them saying yes) can go a long way — especially if they’re children, vendors, or service workers.
How to Register (Yes, You Have To)
If you’re vlogging regularly in the Philippines, you’re now expected to register with the National Privacy Commission. They want to know:
- Who you are
- What data you collect
- How long you keep it
- Why you’re collecting it in the first place
It’s a form of creative taxidermy: putting your spontaneous content under glass and labelling it with Latin.
👉 Read the full NPC Circular and register here
Also: Don’t Get Caught with Unlicensed Music
Let’s say you blur every face. You cross every T. You become a GDPR saint. And then — your video gets flagged anyway.
Why? Because your music isn’t licensed.
Even if your visuals are pristine, unlicensed music can tank your monetisation — or worse, get you banned.
Need Music That Won’t Get You Banned?
That’s where we come in.
Our new subscription service offers fully licensed, high-quality music that’s:
- Cleared for YouTube, TikTok, livestreams, podcasts, and more
- Created by real artists and composers (not AI mush)
- Designed for content creators who want to stay monetised and legally safe
And right now, we’re offering early BETA access for YouTubers and vloggers. That means:
- Discounted pricing
- Priority support
- Direct input into how we develop the platform
👉 Register for free here and start downloading tracks to test. You only subscribe if you decide to use anything!
So… Is This the Future?
Possibly. Other countries — Thailand, Vietnam, even some parts of Europe — are watching closely. One day, face-blurring and consent forms might be as common as copyright disclaimers.
Some creators will grumble. Others will adapt.
The smart ones — the ones who’ve been through music licensing hell, who remember the demonetisation meltdowns of 2019 — will already be ahead of the curve.
They know that being a modern vlogger isn’t just about pressing “record.” It’s about respecting the people in your frame, and protecting the content you’ve worked so hard to create.
Final Checklist Before You Upload:
✅ Did I get consent?
✅ Did I blur that guy behind me eating noodles?
✅ Is my music properly licensed?
If yes, then great. Keep filming. Keep creating. Just try not to end up as Exhibit A in a privacy lawsuit.
And if you happen to see someone sprinting down a Manila alley with a GoPro in one hand and a printed-out privacy notice in the other — you didn’t see anything.
👉 Need licensed music for your next video? Check out our new subscription service and claim your early access invite here.