Online safety regulation:
Singapore overview

   Scope of online safety measure(s)

• OSA: online communication service (OCS) providers where the service is accessible by Singapore users, which specifically include social media services.

• COP – SMSs: designated SMSs with significant reach or impact in Singapore.

• COP – ADSs: designated ADSs with significant reach or impact in Singapore (where ADSs currently include Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Huawei App Gallery, Microsoft Store, Samsung Galaxy Store and IMDA may add new providers).

• OCHA: directions can be issued to online service providers, entities or individuals where there is a reasonable suspicion of an offence (e.g. scam or malicious cyber activity).

• COP – OCS: certain designated online services (currently includes Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, WeChat and WhatsApp).

• COP – ESO: certain designated online services (currently includes Carousell, Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Advertisements and Facebook Business Pages).

   Online harms addressed

• OSA: targets egregious content advocating self-harm, physical or sexual violence, terrorism, child exploitation, and racial/religious disharmony. The categories of harmful content include:
  • sexual content
  • violent content
  • suicide and self-harm content
  • cyberbullying content
  • content endangering public health
  • content facilitating vice and organised crime
• OCHA: targets criminal content and activities, including scams, fraud, and malicious cyber activities. 
• The Bill: If enacted, it will enhance protections for victims of online harms and provide more avenues for legal redress. Initially, five categories of online harms will be addressed (including online harassment, doxxing, and stalking), with the scope gradually broadening to address more forms of harms.

   Territorial scope

• OSA: applies to OCSs (including designated SMSs and ADSs) accessible by users in Singapore, regardless of the service’s location.

• OCHA: applies to all online activities that impact individuals within Singapore regardless of their location or business operations.

   Penalties and enforcement

• OSA: financial penalties and/or criminal liabilities, including fines of up to SGD 1 million, and access blocking directions by InfoComm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

• OCHA: financial penalties and criminal liabilities, including fines of up to SGD 1 million, imprisonment, and police directions to stop or disable communication,  block access, account restriction and app removal.

• An Online Safety Commission (OSC) will also be established to manage a reporting mechanism, restrict offending accounts, and issue directions, among other powers. OSC directions can be issued to relevant entities such as internet service providers, app stores, and online platforms. Perpetrators face financial penalties and imprisonment for up to 12 months, while offending entities face financial penalties of up to SGD500,000 and further penalties accruing each day the offence continues