Josephine Teo
Singapore
“The Government's risk-calibrated approach to data security in artificial intelligence (AI) systems was explained in a written reply, given on 9 January 2024, to related questions asked by Dr Tan Wu Meng and Mr Gerald Giam.”
“Access to frontier models is helpful for specific use cases, such as advanced research and cybersecurity. However, these form a small proportion of artificial intelligence (AI) demand. For most industry, Government and research uses, capable models are already available.”
“The Government tracks the development of technical standards for identifying artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content, including watermarking and digital provenance approaches, as part of broader efforts to manage AI-related risks.”
“Upon receiving a valid report of intimate image abuse, the Commissioner of Online Safety is empowered by law to direct Online Service Providers (OSPs) to disable access by Singapore users to the specified harmful online material. This direction may be extended to cover identical copies found on the platform.”
“The Government is committed to keeping children safe online. We have announced plans to extend age assurance requirements to designated social media services, including requiring platforms to keep users under 13 off their services.”
“Under the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act 2025, the Commissioner of Online Safety is empowered to issue directions to platforms to remove specified harmful content, including intimate image abuse.”
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“The AI Apprenticeship Programme (AIAP) develops skilled AI talent through hands-on project work with companies, providing practical training that supports both professional development and real-world AI deployment. The Member may refer to the written reply to Parliamentary Question 1035 given on 24 February 2026 on the progress made under the AIAP. [Please refer to "Impact Assessment of Investments into AI Manpower and Capability Development from 2022 to Date", Official Report, 24 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 18, Written Answers to Questions section.]”
“Testing standards and technical solutions to manage artificial intelligence (AI)-related risks are still developing. Nonetheless, we have consistently emphasised the need for responsible AI development and deployment. We have sought to provide practical support through guidelines, like the Model AI Governance Framework, and testing tools, like AI Verify. We will update our policies as standards and technical safeguards mature. Singaporeans are protected from online harms through safeguards such as the Codes of Practice for Online Safety and the upcoming Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act. The Member may refer to our previous response to Ms Cassandra Lee's Parliamentary Question on safeguards for users of Grok's app delivered at the 3 February 2026 Parliament Sitting. [Please refer to "Safeguards to Prevent Harm to Vulnerable Users of Gen AI Chatbot App", Official Report, 3 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 15, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]”
“The Government will continue to monitor and review these efforts to ensure our national cybersecurity capabilities keep pace with the evolving threat landscape and emerging challenges.”
“Critical information infrastructure owners (CIIOs) are accountable for the cybersecurity of their systems, including acquiring the right tools and capabilities to safeguard the cybersecurity of their systems. The Government plays an enabling role in ensuring adequate expertise and capacity exists within the broader cybersecurity ecosystem. To support our CIIOs, many of whom are private enterprises, the Government organises nationwide cybersecurity exercises, such as Exercise Cyber Star and Critical Infrastructure Defence Exercise (CIDeX). These exercises enable cyber defenders across public and private sectors, particularly those from our CII sectors, to enhance their skills against evolving cyber threats. For leadership development, the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) has partnered with Singapore Management University to deliver the Cybersecurity Strategic Leadership Programme. This initiative equips senior leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively lead cybersecurity functions within their organisations. The Government has established several programmes to cultivate cybersecurity talent from an early stage. CSA's Cybersecurity Development Programme trains graduates with minimal cybersecurity background into qualified cybersecurity professionals. Additionally, the Digital and Intelligence Service's Sentinel Programme and CSA's SG Cyber Youth provide students with hands-on experience in real-world cybersecurity skills, including web programming, network forensics and penetration testing. These youth-focused initiatives foster early interest amongst young people and inspire them to pursue cybersecurity as a viable career path.”
“Zero-day vulnerabilities cannot be completely eliminated. By definition, the risk they pose cannot be fully addressed because "patches" are not yet available. However, the Government does put in place measures to detect and prevent significant damage to key systems. When we receive credible information on zero-day exploits, the Cyber Security Agency and GovTech work with vendors to confirm the nature of incidents and accelerate remediation efforts where needed. In addition, we require critical system owners to conduct frequent security testing and threat hunting. This facilitates timely detection and remediation. It is also important to put in place a layered defence approach. This means controls at the perimeter of systems, coupled with systematic efforts to detect unauthorised activity within our networks, deal with them robustly and deal with attacks before significant damage is done.”
“The Ministry of Digital Development and Information does not track the usage of fax communications. We understand that law firms generally use email or online channels instead of fax to communicate with Government agencies and banks. We do not have plans to phase out fax communications as a policy and will leave it to organisations to decide if they still require it.”
“The funding seeks to sustain long-term investments, create value in high-impact areas and ensure that our research capabilities and talent remain globally competitive. To respond to emerging opportunities and evolving needs, we generally do not disclose precise allocations. Instead, we ensure that sound processes and relevant experts are in place to exercise judgements flexibly. The administration of these funds is also subject to the system of governance already in place for similar research and development programmes.”
“Development of the two large language model (LLM) families under the National Multimodal Large Language Model Programme (NMLP) – Southeast Asian Languages in One Network (SEALION) and Multimodal Empathetic Reasoning and Learning in One Network (MERaLiON) – helped scientists and engineers in Singapore acquire capabilities to build and fine-tune models, produce datasets and customise models for our region's cultural and linguistic contexts. Organisations, like the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and Indonesia's GoTo Group have used these LLM families to develop applications that better serve users in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The development teams for SEALION and MERaLION also collaborate with companies, such as Google Research and Microsoft Singapore, to build better models. These outcomes are in line with our National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2.0 objectives.”
“The additional US$50 million investment for artificial intelligence (AI) manpower and capability development supported the expansion of the AI Apprenticeship Programme (AIAP) and a new Singapore National Research Foundation (NRF) Fellowship for AI. Since 2018, the AIAP has developed over 400 skilled AI practitioners, through practical training based on projects commissioned by industry partners and AI Singapore (AISG). To ensure quality completion of the project, apprentices are supervised by full-time AI engineers from AISG. On completion of their apprenticeships, participants decide whether to continue with the organisations where they received training or elsewhere. Over 85% of AIAP graduates took up AI engineering-related roles across the economy. The remaining 15% joined AISG to support the national and industry projects that AISG undertakes, and to help scale up the AIAP programme. Four NRF Fellowships for AI have been awarded, to attract and anchor outstanding early-career AI researchers to conduct independent research in Singapore. The awarded Fellows are in the early stages of their research and NRF will engage them closely to track their progress.”
“From 2021 to 2025, the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS) received between 40 and 48 cases of feedback each year regarding social media advertisements with misleading content. Around 2% involved paid influencers or sponsored posts without disclosure. They had breached the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice and would typically have been asked by ASAS to amend or remove their content.”
“Our "we first" approach reflects this commitment – when Singaporeans feel a strong sense of belonging and trust in one another, they are better equipped to critically assess narratives that may strain our social cohesion. We will continue to monitor our information space closely and shape a Singapore society that remains well-informed, cohesive and resilient during peacetime and crises.”
“There is no silver bullet to addressing the Member's valid concerns. Globally, the risk of echo chambers is significant. We have seen how phenomena, like algorithms, a fractured media landscape and artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content, can work in concert to erode trust in institutions and deepen polarisation in many societies. Singapore is not immune to these pressures. As a small, open and highly connected society, we are exposed to external influences seeking to exploit our fault lines of race and religion. Thus far, we have not seen the same sharp polarisation of views that have emerged elsewhere in the world. Our information landscape today also remains fairly healthy. The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer found that trust in Public Service Media (PSM) and in Government, continues to be high. But we cannot take this for granted. We must continue to enable our people to agree on common facts and a shared understanding of the issues of the day. This underscores why we invest significantly in our PSM as a critical pillar of our society's infrastructure of fact. In a landscape increasingly filled with AI-generated content, our PSM entities – Mediacorp and SPH Media – provide quality journalism in our four official languages, ensuring that all Singaporeans, have access to accurate news and diverse perspectives. Importantly, our PSM interprets global developments through a Singaporean lens and helps our people understand what is at stake. We also have measures in place to strengthen Singaporeans' information literacy skills, such as the National Library Board's Source, Understand, Research, Evaluate (SURE) programme. Equally important is the strength of our social fabric. The Government invests heavily in community building initiatives.”
“The Government tracks artificial intelligence (AI) adoption as part of broader efforts to develop the digital economy. Since 2023, the Infocomm Media Development Authority has been publishing the annual Singapore Digital Economy Report, which contains data on AI adoption by companies of different sizes and workers in Singapore. The Member may wish to refer to it.”
“gov.sg/NSSE to experience the scam tactics in a safe environment and learn how to avoid falling prey.”
“The Member is right to be concerned that vigilance against scams may discourage residents from receiving legitimate calls from public officers. Having heard about scammers who impersonate Government officials, they may feel it is safer not to engage with anyone who claims to represent a public agency. Thus far, this problem has not significantly affected public service delivery. Nonetheless, the Government is exploring ways to help the public identify genuine calls from public agencies. This has been addressed in our reply to the question on "Additional Measures to Tackle Increase in Cases of Government Officials Impersonation and Phishing Scams" published after the Sitting of 23 September 2025. [Please refer to "Additional Measures to Tackle Increase in Cases of Government Officials Impersonation and Phishing Scams", Official Report, 23 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 3, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.] In the meantime, we have issued advisories to remind the public that Government officials will never ask them to transfer money, disclose bank log-in details over a phone call or install mobile applications from unofficial app stores. We recognise that such messages take time to be internalised. We will continue to feature them prominently through various communication channels, including websites, mobile applications, social media, physical letters, collaterals and digital display panels. If in doubt, members should call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799. The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and the Ministry of Home Affairs will also be piloting a National Simulated Scams Exercise, focusing initially on Government Officials Impersonation Scams. Members of the public can register to take part at https://go.”
“The DigitalAccess@Home scheme has supported over 30,000 assistance packages to low-income households since its launch in 2023. The figures cited by the Member represent resources provisioned to meet demand from qualifying households, rather than predetermined targets to be achieved. Nonetheless, the Infocomm Media Development Authority works together with Government agencies, such as the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Ministry of Education, and social sector partners (for example, Social Service Agencies, Family Service Centres) to raise awareness of the scheme and streamline applications processing. We will continue to promote the scheme to ensure inclusive digital access for all.”
“The Infocomm Media Development Authority chairs the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Working Group on Submarine Cables, which focuses on enhancing the resilience of our regional submarine cable network through capacity-building engagements and information exchange. The Working Group has developed the Enhanced ASEAN Guidelines for Strengthening Resilience and Repair of Submarine Cables. This was endorsed at the ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting in January 2026. The Guidelines spell out best practices ASEAN member states can adopt to strengthen the protection of submarine cables and expedite repairs to damaged cables. The Ministry of Digital Development and Information recognises the importance of enhancing the resilience of our cable networks. We will continue working with ASEAN member states to build up regional capabilities and cooperation on this front. Singapore will also continue to explore new ways to enhance our digital connectivity, including through satellites.”
“The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) supports local media companies, including startups, in content creation and capabilities development. Information can be found on IMDA's website.”
“In deciding on the operational hours of its libraries, the National Library Board (NLB) considers factors, like patron demand and operational sustainability; and in the case of mall libraries, the opening hours of the mall itself. NLB has piloted extended operating hours at Harbourfront Library and Yishun Library since 2024 and 2025 respectively, where patrons can enjoy self-help services from 9.00 am to 11.00 am, before the staff-assisted hours from 11.00 am to 9.00 pm. NLB plans to roll out such earlier opening hours at more libraries where it is operationally feasible, including at Clementi Library after its revamp. More details will be released in due course.”
“The member refers to a study initiated by the Government, in partnership with the Institute of Policy Studies, to trial new public engagement modalities on challenging topics, including local-foreign integration. One of the study's findings was that Singaporeans' contributions be appropriately recognised. We agree this is important. Where opportunities arise, the Government recognises Singaporeans' contributions and accomplishments across multiple fields. National campaigns regularly spotlight local entrepreneurs, innovators and community leaders. During the SG60 celebrations last year, we celebrated the achievements of Singaporeans who embodied SG60 values, such as resilience, boldness and multiculturalism. Another example is our "Together in the Lorongs" digital series, which has featured ground-up community efforts in the community. The annual National Day Awards also honour Singaporeans from different walks of life, whilst our Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation packages explicitly recognised the foundational contributions of our senior citizens. We always aim to do better and welcome suggestions from members as well as the public.”
“As of January 2026, there have been no Police reports lodged in Singapore in relation to artificial intelligence-generated non-consensual intimate images on X's Grok platform. The Infocomm Media Development Authority is engaging X on the issue of harmful and inappropriate content, such as non-consensual sexualised imagery, being generated and distributed on X using Grok. We note that X has taken some measures to address the matter globally, which includes preventing the Grok account on X from producing images of women and children in revealing clothing. We will continue to monitor the issue closely and will work with X to enhance online safety for Singapore users on its platform.”
“There is no evidence that today's artificial intelligence (AI) systems are sentient and the Government has not conducted studies specifically on "sentient AI" arising in our systems. If AI capabilities advance significantly in the future, that would be a global development. In the meantime, we focus on practical safeguards – strong cybersecurity controls, access restrictions, monitoring and human oversight – to protect Government systems and critical services.”
“IMDA is engaging X on the recent issue of harmful and inappropriate content, such as non-consensual sexualised imagery, being generated and distributed on X using Grok. We note that X has taken some measures to address the matter globally, which includes preventing the Grok account on X from producing images of women and children in revealing clothing. There are safeguards in place to moderate Singapore users' exposure to harmful content on social media services and applications. The Codes of Practice for Online Safety require designated Social Media Services, including X, and designated app stores, to have in place measures to minimise users' exposure to harmful content, especially for children. This includes having in place community guidelines, content moderation measures and user reporting and resolution mechanisms. The designated services are also required to submit annual transparency reports detailing the measures they have put in place to combat harmful and inappropriate content. In addition, the upcoming Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act will allow victims to seek redress if they face specified online harms, such as online harassment and intimate image abuse. The Online Safety Commission will be set up by June 2026. We will continue to monitor the issue closely and will work with X to enhance online safety for Singapore users on its platform.”
“The Government does not have data on the Member's question. It is the responsibility of each board to ensure they have the right mix of skills, knowledge and experience for their company's sector and operational context. This includes determining whether and what type of information and communications technology knowledge is required for their business and is no different from how boards assess the needs for other types of expertise, including legal and finance.”
“MDDI, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and MSF have also jointly developed the Positive Use Guide on Technology and Social Media with practical tips for parents and youth on building healthy and positive relationships with technology. Relevant content from the Guide will be used to support students, which will be reinforced through MOE's Cyber Wellness lessons and shared with parents and families. The Ministry, together with other relevant agencies, will continue to monitor these concerns and strengthen support initiatives where needed through collaboration with parents, community partners and schools.”
“The Member may refer to the written reply given by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) on 22 September 2025 on the assessment of the effectiveness of parental education programmes on healthy screentime habits for children, which mentions some of the programmes and resources the Government has rolled out to support parents in managing their child’s screen use. [Please refer to "Assessment of Effectiveness of Parental Education Programmes on Healthy Screentime Habits for Children", Official Report, 22 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 2, Written Answers to Questions section.] In addition to these efforts, the Government has identified four key actions that families should adopt to foster healthy digital habits and keep their children safe and supported online: a) set boundaries online; b) think before you act; c) report inappropriate content; and d) engage and support your child in their online journey. In November 2025, the Infocomm Media Development Authority released a comprehensive set of resources on the Digital for Life (DfL) portal as a complementary effort to support parents in adopting these four key actions. The resources, developed in consultation with parents, youths and key partners, like the Media Literacy Council, are tailored according to the various stages in the parenting journey, based on their child's developmental age range and their experiences with key digital milestones, such as their first screen and first device. In collaboration with community partners, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has also launched a series of digital parenting workshops to proactively reach parents in their local communities.”
“Under the Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme (CLS), manufacturers may register to have their digital products assessed on the strength of their cybersecurity features. There are four levels in the CLS, with Level 4 reflecting the highest standard met. This is currently a voluntary scheme with the exception of routers, which must meet CLS Level 1 requirements to be sold in Singapore. The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving. We are, therefore, reviewing if more digital devices, such as Internet protocol cameras, should require CLS assessment, and will announce any changes when ready. Individuals can, and should, also take steps to protect themselves, for example, by buying CLS-labelled devices for their home use. To mitigate the risk of a successful cyber attack, individuals should adopt good cyber hygiene practices, such as updating software promptly and not using universal default passwords.”
“Dr Goh's oral history interview has been released with some redactions, and a fuller version of Mr Lee's oral history interview will be made available soon. The oral history interview of Mr Ong Pang Boon will also be released later this year, in accordance with his request for a withholding period of 15 years after he was last interviewed in 2010.”
“As Members are aware, my Ministry recently released the contents of Dr Goh Keng Swee's Albatross File, together with the excerpts of the oral histories of many of our founding leaders pertaining to the Separation of Singapore from Malaysia. Oral history interviews conducted by the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) are governed by oral history agreements signed by the interviewees. The terms of the agreement vary based on the interviewees' requests. For example, Mr CV Devan Nair, Mr S Rajaratnam, Mr EW Barker and Dr Albert Winsemius all signed the same agreement, which specified that the Cabinet Secretary may consider releasing their oral history interviews five years after their death. Their oral history interviews have been released in full. Before releasing interviews for public access on Archives Online, NAS reviews them for sensitivities, including personal or private information about individuals, as well as matters that may affect national security or international relations. Where such sensitivities remain, access may need to stay partially or fully restricted for a longer time, even after the agreed withholding period has passed. This was the case for the oral histories of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Mdm Kwa Geok Choo and Dr Goh Keng Swee. Substantial excerpts of these oral histories were published recently together with “The Albatross File: Inside Separation”. About 80% of NAS' oral history collection is already publicly accessible. This includes interviews with many notable leaders from the pioneer generation, such as Mr Lim Kim San, Mr Othman Wok, Mr Lee Khoon Choy, Mr Mahmud Awang and Mr David Marshall. NAS will continue to work towards providing access to all interviews as soon as it is feasible to do so.”
“Clementi Public Library saw about 700,000 visits in 2025, moderated from 800,000 in 2023. It continues to operate within its capacity limits and is also supported by the National Library Board's (NLB's) 24-hour digital library. NLB continuously reviews and ensures that library collections and services meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve. As part of these efforts, Clementi Public Library is slated for a revamp to offer an enhanced experience for patrons. More details will be announced when ready.”
“Singapore's participation in the Pax Silica Summit is in line with our approach of pursuing cooperation with international partners on the basis of mutual benefit. The inaugural Summit included government representatives from Australia, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. Permanent Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, Mr Chng Kai Fong, was Singapore's representative. The Summit discussed collaboration in key sectors of the emerging digital economy, including potential new opportunities for leading companies and investors across our economies. These include sectors such as advanced manufacturing and AI infrastructure, which are key industries for Singapore and our companies. The Summit issued a non-binding Pax Silica Declaration that reflects a shared commitment to advance prosperity, tech progress and economic security for our peoples.”
“Relevant content of the Guide will be reinforced through MOE's Cyber Wellness lessons and shared with parents and families. Specific to loot boxes, with reference to the Member's query on blind boxes or gacha, the National Council on Problem Gambling also conducts outreach to parents and youths to raise awareness of the gambling inducement risks on youths who may be incentivised to try their luck by buying more loot boxes and are unaware that this constitutes gambling behaviour. This includes social media posts, talks and workshops targeted at parents and youths. The Ministry, together with other relevant agencies, will continue to monitor these concerns and strengthen support initiatives where needed, through collaboration with parents, community partners and schools.”
“In today's digital age, parents often worry about the impact of screen use and what their children might encounter online. To address this, the Government has identified four key actions that families should adopt to foster healthy digital habits and keep their children safe and supported online: (i) set boundaries online; (ii) think before you act; (iii) report inappropriate content; and (iv) engage and support your child in their online journey. These actions are designed as broad-based principles that are easily applicable to various online situations and issues, including in-game purchases and online spending, and help establish the foundation for children to develop healthy digital habits and become discerning and responsible digital users. To support parents, the Infocomm Media Development Authority has launched a comprehensive set of resources on the Digital for Life (DfL) portal to translate these actions into practical steps. The resources, developed in consultation with parents, youths and key partners, like the Media Literacy Council, are tailored according to the various stages in the parenting journey, based on their child's developmental age range and their experiences with key digital milestones, such as their first screen and first device. In collaboration with community partners, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has also launched a series of digital parenting workshops to proactively reach parents in their local communities. MDDI, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development have also jointly developed the Positive Use Guide on Technology and Social Media, with practical tips for parents on setting limits on gaming time and handle stopping points for games with flexibility.”
“The Government does not intervene in the editorial positioning of individual newspapers or media outlets. Nevertheless, we expect all media outlets to uphold responsible journalism standards by ensuring their news reporting is accurate, fair and complies with the law. Additionally, STOMP is individually licensed under the Online News Licensing Scheme. Licensees have to comply with content standards to safeguard racial and religious harmony, public order, as well as good taste and decency. The Member may wish to write in to STOMP if she has specific concerns.”
“Today, Singpass provides a convenient and secure platform for users to transact with Government agencies and private sector organisations. To facilitate the linking of mobile numbers to Singpass accounts, users are required to verify their mobile number through one-time passwords (OTPs) during registration and when making changes to their account details. This verification confirms that the user has access to the mobile number at the point of verification. For high-risk transactions or when anomalies are detected on an account, Singpass implements additional safeguards, such as facial verification, to provide stronger assurance of the user's identity. This helps mitigate the risk of unauthorised access, including situations in which a malicious actor gains access to a user's OTP, such as by successfully changing the user's registered Singpass mobile number to their own or by phishing the OTP from the user. The Government will continue to work with relevant agencies and industry partners to assess whether additional measures are needed to strengthen the validation of mobile phone numbers. Individuals should remain responsible for updating their personal data they have provided to the organisations they transact with.”
“My Ministry will continue to work with NAS and relevant agencies to facilitate such reviews and to make more records available over time.”
“As Members are aware, my Ministry recently declassified and released the contents of Dr Goh Keng Swee's Albatross File, together with the excerpts of the oral histories of many of our founding leaders pertaining to the Separation of Singapore from Malaysia. The extensive release was unprecedented. Singaporeans got an intimate look into how our pioneer leaders felt, thought and did in the lead up to our Independence. My Ministry is committed to making as much of our recent history as possible available to the wider public. A deeper appreciation of our history and how we got here will strengthen our national identity. Today, under the National Library Board Act, any person may, for "the purpose of reference or research" request to access public archives – that is, Government records of national or historical significance that have been transferred to the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) and are more than 25 years old. The Government agency from which the public archives were transferred decides whether to allow access, taking into account considerations, such as supporting research into our collective past, while safeguarding sensitive information and complying with relevant confidentiality and other obligations. The NAS also facilitates the process by which anyone can ask a relevant Government agency to review public records for declassification. This provides a formal channel for historians and other researchers to nominate documents for review. Upon request, the relevant Government agency will assess the public record based on its content and whether there are any concerns in disclosure of the content, such as those pertaining to national security, confidentiality obligations and personal privacy.”
“Today, the Government disburses support through various platforms. Beyond our policy objectives, we recognise that different groups of citizens have varying needs and comfort levels with technology, and we take these considerations into account when determining the most effective way to deliver benefits to them. RedeemSG is a general voucher system that serves various Government schemes, including Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers and SG60 vouchers. It is designed to be inclusive and convenient, offering a seamless experience where citizens do not need to download an app, and digital and paper vouchers can be spent in the same way. Each tranche of RedeemSG vouchers can also be accessed through its own unique link, making it easy for citizens to share vouchers with household members. We recognise that it may be challenging for citizens to manage multiple links as more schemes are disbursed through RedeemSG. I thank the Member for his suggestion for a centralised SGVoucher digital wallet and we will consider this as we refine our digital disbursement strategies for future Government schemes.”
“Singapore's film classification framework does not apply to content on social media services, including short-form reel-style videos hosted on such platforms. However, the Government has implemented other measures to enhance online safety for Singapore users on such platforms. Under the Broadcasting Act, the Infocomm Media Development Authority can direct social media services to disable access to egregious content. Such content includes those in videos advocating or instructing on sexual violence, suicide and terrorism. Under the Code of Practice for Online Safety – Social Media Services, designated social media services are required to have in place systems and processes to mitigate the risk of Singapore users' exposure to harmful content. Such harmful content includes those in videos. Additionally, the Code requires platforms to ensure that children must not be targeted to receive content that is detrimental to their physical and mental well-being, and to put in place more restrictive account settings. The designated social media services covered under the Code are Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X and HardwareZone. Beyond laws and regulations, the Government has put in place public education efforts to help Singaporeans navigate the digital space and safeguard against digital risks, including harmful content in short-form videos. For example, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information recently introduced the Positive Use Guide on Technology and Social Media. Singaporeans can use this resource as a guide to the healthy and positive use of technology and social media.”
“Agentic AI systems are AI tools capable of initiating and carrying out actions, such as sending emails or updating records and software. Such capabilities can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our officers, but risks in implementing them can have cascading consequences. The Government is thus adopting a careful approach towards agentic AI deployment. We are simultaneously investing in our officers' skills development to collaborate effectively with AI and focus on higher-order responsibilities, such as analysing complex issues and designing solutions that effectively address citizens' needs.”
“The proposed consolidation between Simba and M1 is being assessed in accordance with the Infocomm Media Development Authority's (IMDA's) Telecom and Media Competition Code. IMDA will review feedback from industry and the public, as well as Simba and M1's commitments to ensure that service quality and consumer interests continue to be met and there is no significant lessening of competition.”
“The Government has made artificial intelligence (AI) tools available to public officers in a secure environment. About 80% of our 150,000 officers have used Pair Chat, the Government's general use chatbot. Officers are also using AIBots to create custom chatbots for specific tasks, such as answering human resource queries and providing guidance on budget and procurement processes. Over 20,000 of such bots have been created. A range of learning and development programmes is available to help public officers of different skill levels understand and use AI tools. This includes courses and webinars organised by the Civil Service College and training partners and they cover a wide range of topics, such as prompt engineering and machine learning techniques. The Government also launched a mandatory AI literacy course for all public officers in October this year. This course helps officers understand AI's potential and limitations and use AI responsibly in their work.”
“On average, there were 141 ransomware incidents reported to Government agencies annually between 2022 to 2024. Around 60% of these incidents were reported by small and medium enterprises1. The rest were reported by larger enterprises as well as non-profit organisations. Singapore strongly discourages the payment of ransoms to ransomware actors. These attackers are criminals. Payment does not guarantee restoration of access to affected systems and data or prevent stolen data from being published. Organisations that have paid up may also be viewed as "soft targets" and prone to repeat attacks. Instead, we encourage everyone to adopt good cyber hygiene practices to better protect their systems and data against ransomware. We have made resources available at the Ransomware Portal to help them better protect themselves. We are aware that some countries, such as the United Kingdom, are considering legislating a ban on ransom payments. The aim is to disincentivise ransom payments and, in so doing, cut off an important source of criminal funding for the ransomware industry. However, there are also concerns ransom payments may simply be pushed underground. We are therefore continuing engagements with our counterparts to better assess the effectiveness of legislating a ban.”
“The Government takes a serious view of harmful online content that may affect Singapore users' physical and mental well-being, including content relating to suicide and self-harm. Hence, we have introduced measures to mitigate Singapore users' exposure to such harmful online content. Under the Broadcasting Act, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) can direct Social Media Services and App Distribution Services, also known as app stores, to disable access by Singapore users to content advocating or instructing on self-harm or suicide on social media services and apps, including gaming apps. Groups with very large memberships on social media services can also be used to propagate egregious content. Those that are open and enable online interactions for social purposes are no different from non-private communications. IMDA can, therefore, take the same actions against them under the Broadcasting Act. For suicide and self-harm content shared via private messages, the IMDA's Code of Practice for designated Social Media Services requires them to provide easily accessible user reporting mechanisms throughout its service. If individuals encounter harmful private messages on these social media services, they could block the sender or report the sender to the service. The digital landscape is constantly evolving. The Government will continue to update our regulatory efforts to promote safe and trusted online spaces.”
“Income is a sensitive variable that respondents typically choose not to disclose. Unevenness in responses does not help data analysis. Survey designers must, thus, consider their usefulness to overall representativeness of the findings, or if proxies, like educational attainment, suffice. For the Digital Parenting Survey, findings suggest that parents with secondary and lower educational qualification were less likely to have checked their child's online activities or take action to guide their child's digital activities.”
“I hope Members will agree that our priority is to allow OSC to focus on building its capabilities, clarifying its policies and cultivating its partnerships. It will take time and things may not work perfectly at first but, step by step, we will get it right. I thank Mr Singh for stating that the WP supports the Bill. If the WP agrees, I hope it will also consider withdrawing its amendments. Mr Speaker, I seek to move.”
“Minister of State Rahayu and Minister Edwin have comprehensively addressed why the amendments filed by Ms He are either already provided for in the Bill or could inadvertently limit the work of the OSC in providing relief for the victims. For instance, we agree that public interest is an important factor. In fact, the Bill provides that the Commissioner may consider it. But making public interest and overriding exemption could inadvertently provide a shield to bad online actors. Ms Tin Pei Ling underscored this risk. Under the pretext of public interest, these bad actors can continue to undermine victims' recourse. To be clear, the Government has no disagreement with the intent behind Ms He's amendments. We will also operationalise the law in the same spirit. But as with any law, we must strike a careful balance between being specific to make the law clear and operable, and being too specific as to inadvertently make the law less effective. MDDI and MinLaw have tried to get this balance right. OSC has both the latitude to act quickly and the duty to act responsibly within clear bounds. In designing the OSC's remit, we have taken every care to scope it precisely, proportionately and as practicably as we can, so that it fulfils its mission. OSC will learn from experience, continually refine its processes and always strive to do better. It will continue to monitor and report on its progress, refining the system openly as needed. We welcome the Workers' Party's (WP's) shared interest in ensuring that OSC is well-positioned to achieve its objectives. Our end goals are aligned. We all want better support for victims of online harms.”
“Minister of State Rahayu has explained how the OSC will take an objective approach in assessing online harms. These thresholds are not met simply because someone says they feel offended by the content, no matter who that someone is. Clear definitions of each harm have been provided in the Bill, supported by explanatory notes and illustrations. Mr Alex Yeo and Mr Foo Cexiang acknowledged and agree with this approach. In time, the OSC will also publish guidelines on factors that it will consider in its decision making. This is important to aid public understanding. The transparency also ensures that the OSC's decisions can be held to clear standards. It is a necessary safeguard for fairness and consistency. I hope these assurances address Ms Chong's concerns on the independence of the Commissioner. To Mr Pritam Singh's question on the use of Ministerial Directions. I would like to assure him that there is no intent to issue directions to interfere in the day-to-day workings of the Commissioner in specific cases. An example of a type of direction that may be provided for is on resource prioritisation for the Office of the Commissioner of Online Safety. At this juncture, let me also thank Ms He Ting Ru for her proposed amendments to the Bill. Over the years, many Members of Parliament have given suggestions on strengthening online safety for Singaporeans. The Government has welcomed them. I spoke about this when I opened the debate. As with all well-intentioned suggestions, the Government's approach is to review them carefully and rationally.”
“The Bill, itself, has been years in the making. At every stage, local community organisations and advocates provided valuable insights that shaped our approach. Feedback from industry stakeholders further refined our framework. I am heartened they see Singapore as a determined, yet pragmatic regulator. I also hope they will continue to actively contribute to improving online safety. The OSC will draw upon the extensive experience and expertise of our partners. It is essential to how we navigate the evolving digital landscape. It will also help us improve our practices and stay responsive to victims' needs. My third observation is that Members agree the OSC must earn the trust of Singaporeans that it is effective and impartial. There are different thresholds for acting on online harmful activities that may occur. The Commissioner and the OSC have the delicate job of assessing reports and issuing directions on a case-by-case basis. We need to consider, for example, that what causes distress to a child may not be distressing to an adult. Mr Sharael Taha, Ms Eileen Chong, Ms Elysa Chen and Mr Alex Yeo have rightly pointed these out. We may adopt a victim-led approach to filing reports, but OSC will need clear guidelines, adequate oversight and accountability mechanisms. This is so that all parties, whether victims, alleged perpetrators, platforms and administrators know that the OSC makes its assessment based on objective criteria. The OSC's directions should only go so far to protect any immediate or further harm to victims. It should not be seen to be taking the side of one party over another. This is important, whether or not political personalities are involved. Trust in the OSC's objectivity and fairness will be critical to its success.”
“Mr Speaker, I thank all Members who have spoken on the Bill, for your thoughtful comments and suggestions. Minister Edwin Tong and Minister of State Rahayu have responded to all of your comments comprehensively. Let me share just a few more observations about the overall thrust of the debate today. The first observation is that Members agree no one should be beyond accountability when their actions harm others. Ms Mariam Jaafar was most emphatic about it. The stories shared by Members today illustrate the mental toll that victims of online harms experience. They are visceral and emotional, and it is why it is so important to help victims get closure through restitution. It goes to the heart of the OSC's mission to provide timely, effective and accessible relief for victims of online harms. My second observation, Sir, is that Members recognise the complexity and tensions within the online sphere. Online interactions and the nuances of harmful activities can shift and evolve rapidly. No two cases of online harms will be the same. Every hour that passes by makes a difference to victims. This is why the OSC's work will be very challenging. Mr Xie Yao Quan posits that it will also be voluminous. The Government has explained how the OSC's processes strike a balance between speed and due process, efficiency and effectiveness. As much as possible, we will rely on clear criteria for action. We will also provide avenues for independent review of decisions so that outcomes are consistent and fair. Our framework will hold all stakeholders accountable – from platforms to perpetrators – for the safety of users. The OSC will not be undertaking this work alone. We have regularly worked together with our network of partners. Many have been on this journey with us since the beginning.”