On October 3, the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) submitted the Online Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill for its first reading in Parliament.
The bill intends to address harmful content on "Online Communications Services" (OCS) to safeguard Singaporeans, especially children and adolescents, from hazardous online content.
This includes sexual or violent content, suicidal or self-harming behavior, cyberbullying, content that endangers public health or promotes vice and organized crime.
The bill contains two sections. First, it empowers the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to designate Regulated Online Communication Services (ROCS).
This will need OCS to adhere to one or more Codes of Practice. It would also compel companies to implement safeguards that limit the danger of exposure to hazardous content for Singaporeans.
Second, it will enable IMDA to issue directives for OCS to deal with offensive information; however, these directives will not apply to private conversations.
These directions include informing the OCS provider to limit access to the damaging content for Singaporean users and prohibiting specific accounts, groups, or channels from connecting with Singaporean users.
It also permits authorities to compel internet service providers to limit access to online content services that do not comply. Online content services that do not comply may also be penalized.
The Broadcasting Act will be amended to govern OCS accessible to Singaporeans via services offered in, from, or outside of Singapore.
In addition, the law will include Social Media Services (SMS) to a new Broadcasting Act schedule.
The guideline or norms of conduct are intended to give Singaporeans with a safer social media experience online.
It will implement systematic methods to reduce exposure to dangerous content and compel social media providers to guarantee that children are not exposed to unsuitable material.
This will also contain recommendations on whether types of material pose a considerable risk of damage to Singaporean users.
SMS are intended to give Singaporean users with a "easy-to-use option" for reporting hazardous information and undesirable interactions.
In addition, they will be obligated to provide tools for children or their parents to oversee their safety on these services and to respond "timely" to user reports.
In addition, they would be required to share information about the experiences of Singaporean users, allowing customers to make educated judgments about utilizing their services.
This will take the form of an annual report to IMDA, which will be published on the organization's website.
The measure was compared to comparable laws that had either been implemented, as in Germany and Australia, or were being drafted, as in the United Kingdom and the European Union.
It relies on research produced by the Sunlight Alliance for Action, a public-private organization dedicated to combating harmful online content, as well as MCI polls.
According to the studies and polls, an overwhelming majority of Singaporeans were concerned about hazardous internet content.
Josephine Teo, Minister of Communications and Information, stated on Facebook that her ministry had held a public survey and that the majority of respondents approved the suggestions.
In November 2022, Teo is anticipated to deliver a speech at the Second Reading of the bill.
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