EXECUTIVES of kumu, a social live streaming application, visited republicasia newsroom in Intramuros, Manila Monday for a potential collaboration between two tech-driven media companies.

republicasia chief executive officer Bran Reluao briefed the visiting kumu officers about the newest media player that entered the Philippine digital publishing scene last November 5. 

Reluao also summarized the pilot story of republicasia on the proliferation of pornography in social media and how it connects to the online sexual exploitation Filipino children.

James Rumohr, kumu’s co-founder and chief community officer, said both kumu and republicasia can work on advancing the interests of the Filipino youth through meaningful collaboration.

“We are excited to explore possibilities in teaming up with republicasia on making online a safer space for Filipinos, especially for children,” Rumohr said.

Ronel Taruc, kumu moderation senior manager, said they have encountered “content creators” who attempt to show lots of skin during live streaming. kumu has devised an artificial intelligence that automatically blocks such moves. They also have kumu “police” who conduct random screenings of live streamers.

kumu, which was named after the Tagalog word “kumusta” or “how are you,” is an all-Filipino platform, catering mainly to the Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad. It also has non-Filipino subscribers who are interested in anything or everything about the Philippines. 

According to Google Play, more than 10 million users have downloaded the kumu app. Mac’s App Store placed kumu in the top 13 of the free apps in the Philippines.

Reluao said he is “impressed” with the technology of kumu that could immediately stop the broadcast illicit content directly from the source. He said other social media should look at this AI of kumu to help stop online child exploitation.

“I hope our government can also collaborate with kumu so that we can also amplify our common advocacy in making the internet as safe space for the youth and the children,” Reluao added.

kumu has had collaborations with celebrities, content creators, sports event Premier Volleyball League, and media partners such as ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Big Brother,” GMA/ TAPE Inc.’s Eat Bulaga “Bida First: Issuing Tawag Ka Lang!”