Social media platforms have hit regulatory challenges in Singapore due to the country’s stringent online harms law. — Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash
Singapore will create an agency with powers to block harmful online content on platforms including TikTok and Facebook, saying it’s stepping up efforts to fight cyber-scams and deep fakes.
The Online Safety Commission, after receiving victim reports, can demand platforms take down material and mobile applications for users in Singapore, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Law said in a joint statement.
The commission forms the centerpiece of a bill introduced in Singapore’s Parliament Wednesday to expand the online harms covered by existing laws. The ministry said there’s an "urgent need for stronger protections for victims.” The envisioned agency will initially target serious offenses including harassment and image-based child abuse, before expanding its scope to cases such as online impersonation and the non-consensual disclosure of private information.
Social media platforms have hit regulatory challenges in Singapore due to the country’s stringent online harms law. The Ministry of Home Affairs in September ordered Meta Platforms Inc. to put in place measures to root out Facebook-based scam advertisements, introduce enhanced facial recognition measures and prioritise review of end-user reports from Singapore.
Alphabet Inc.’s Google has pledged to implement age checks by next year as Singapore mandates that app stores block under-18 users from downloading software not intended for their use. – Bloomberg
