Concerns over ‘intrusive’ new law

PARLIAMENT has begun discussion of a proposed law to counter foreign interference that has sparked concern from opposition parties, rights groups and experts about its broad scope and limits on judicial review.

The small and open city-state, which says it is vulnerable to foreign meddling, targeted fake news with a far-reaching law in 2019, and joins nations such as Australia and Russia that have passed laws in to deter foreign interference.

It allows authorities to compel Internet, social media service providers and website operators to provide user information, block content and remove applications, and is likely to be passed, as the ruling party has a majority in parliament.

But some critics say its broad language risks capturing even legitimate activities, while rights group Reporters Without Borders said the law could ensnare independent media outlets.

“The pre-emptive powers... and broad scoping of provisions could potentially provide the government with significant wherewithal to curb legitimate civil society activity,” said Eugene Tan, a law professor at Singapore Management University.

“FICA has the makings of being the most intrusive law on the statute books,” he said of the Bill, to be formally known as the Foreign Interference Countermeasures Act.

In response to a query, the home ministry said the Bill did not cover discussion or advocacy by Singapore citizens, or the vast array of their collaborations with foreigners.

But orders can be issued if a citizen acts for a foreign principal in a manner contrary to the public interest, it added, saying the law set out clear thresholds.

The Bill lets the home minister order investigations in the public interest to “expose hostile information campaigns”, based on suspicion of foreign interference.

Instead of open court, an independent panel, chaired by a judge, will hear appeals against the minister’s decisions, a move the government says is necessary as matters may involve sensitive intelligence with national security implications.

As use of social media and communications technology increases, experts and opposition parties have agreed on the need to counter a growing threat of foreign interference in domestic affairs.

Besides aiming to remove content that threatens immediate and significant harm, it imposes obligations on those considered “politically significant persons”, who are directly involved in Singapore’s political processes, such as MPs.

In parliament yesterday home minister K. Shanmugam pointed to examples of spurts in online activity over the years 2016 to 2019 that aimed to influence sentiment or create artificial impressions of Singapore’s positions, but he did not name any countries.

The main opposition Workers’ Party has called for changes to the draft law, such as narrowing the scope of executive powers to reduce the chance of an abuse of power.

Rights groups had warned the 2019 law on fake news could hurt freedom of expression.

The government said legitimate criticism and free speech are unaffected. — Reuters