Users of the microblogging and social media site Tumblr raised concerns about the platform being inaccessible to some Filipinos.
Reports of the platform being “banned” and tagged as a “gambling site” appeared online, as some users experience accessibility issues on the site.
On Tuesday, March 10, an online user shared a screengrab that tagged Tumblr as an “unlicensed gambling site.”
The notice reads:
This website is not licensed by Philippine authorities. Many users have reported scams, fake games, and lost money that could not be recovered.
Unlicensed gambling sites offer no government protection. Any money you lose cannot be returned, and your personal data may be at risk.
It also recommended gambling websites that it said are “PAGCOR-approved.”
PAGCOR stands for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, which serves as the country’s gaming industry regulator.
“Tumblr is blocked in the Philippines by the government, wtf, it’s not even a gambling app??” the user who shared the screengrab commented.
tumblr is blocked in the philippines by the government wtf it’s not even a gambling app?? pic.twitter.com/XNtVkexCMy
— 𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒛 (@soonedoongedori) March 9, 2026
Another online user shared a screengrab of a notice that appeared when she attempted to access the platform on the website. It reads:
Your connection is not private. Attackers might be trying to steal your information from www.tumblr.com (for example, passwords, messages, or credit cards. Learn more about this warning
“FUMING RN [RIGHT NOW]. #UnbanTumblr,” the user said.
FUMING RN #UnbanTumblr pic.twitter.com/QIkqGBZCcZ
— ɐı̣uɐɯuı̣ɟɟnɯ | 💛💙 (@KEngieres35033) March 10, 2026
The issue also reached a Reddit community, where some users similarly lamented the ban.
“WAIT, NO — MY FANFICS — MY FANFIIIIIIIIIIIIICS. I hate this government,” a Redditor commented.
“Wadafak!? Gumagamit pa rin ako Tumblr kasi marami akong saved fanarts and essays doon. Marami din ako contacts doon,” another Redditor said.
Others, however, claimed that Tumblr is accessible to Globe users.
“Still accessible if you’re [a] Globe user, not SMART [or] PLDT, it shows privacy issue,” a Reddit user wrote.
Some users also blamed the recent move by by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), which has partnered with other government agencies and private-sector groups to crack down on illegal online gambling sites.
CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Aboy Paraiso said the Threat Monitoring Center conducted a month-long documentation and verification of illegal gambling sites, applications, and their promoters in partnership with civil society organization Digital Pinoys.
Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo also said that takedown requests have already been made with Meta to ban social media accounts and pages linked to the promotion of illegal gambling.
The comments section of the post reporting the development was filled with Tumblr users who condemned the move to restrict the website.
CICC Exec. Director Usec. Aboy Paraiso said the Threat Monitoring Center performed a month-long documentation and verification of illegal gambling sites, applications, and their promoters in partnership with civil society organization Digital Pinoys. Those found responsible will…
— Philippine News Agency (@pnagovph) March 4, 2026
“I don’t understand how Tumblr is flagged as [a] gambling site… pero ADs featuring ACTUAL gambling sites are still rampant, baka baliktad ang pinindut ninyo,” an X user commented.
“Explain to me why Tumblr got taken down but I’m outright getting YouTube ads of that gambling app. Gagalaw kayo pero ‘di niyo naman magawa [nang] tama,” another said.
Tumblr is a microblogging and social media platform that allows users to create, share and curate multimedia content like texts, photos, GIFs and videos on customizable personal blogs.
