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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“As and when new technology arises, we will study them and update our safeguards, where required. Mr Speaker, let me conclude. In the debate to follow, I suggest Members keep in mind three points. One, OSRA introduces many new features in our online safety ecosystem. They are novel and meaningful. Nevertheless, there is much work ahead to ensure that these features can be effectively implemented. Two, OSRA is designed to help victims in areas and ways that matter most to them. This was how we determined the types of harms, range of directions and thresholds of harms. We have also introduced safeguards to prevent overreach of the Commissioner and OSRA. Three, these considerations should, therefore, inform further proposals and suggestions. We should be careful not to distract the Commissioner and the OSC, or impose more conditions which will impede victims from getting timely, effective and accessible relief. With that, Mr Speaker, I look forward to the debate on this Bill. Sir, I seek to move. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]”
“Finally, the OSC can help victims obtain the identity information of perpetrators. Although perpetrators often hide their identities, we are discussing with various platforms how to ensure that perpetrators cannot hide forever. Overall, the purpose of the Bill is not only to provide timely assistance to victims, but also to help them seek justice. We also hope the Bill can serve as a deterrent, set new norms for online behaviour and create a safer, more positive online space. (In English): Sir, our journey towards building a safer online world does not stop with OSRA. We are especially concerned about younger persons and plan to do more to ensure the usage of online services is age-appropriate. We know anecdotally and from studies that youths can easily bypass age restrictions online. They use false birthdays, spam email accounts or borrowed credentials for verification. When one person figures out how to do so, they teach their friends, too. Such behaviours can cause more youths to be exposed to inappropriate content or persons. To moderate such risks, we have introduced age assurance measures on app stores. Hopefully, young users do not download age-inappropriate apps in the first place, but we know this is not enough. A more holistic approach is needed. This means extending age assurance requirements to social media services which attract many young users. We will explore better protections on other platforms, such as online games, where children and youths spend much of their time. In addition, we will look beyond content to address unwanted interactions and excessive time spent on apps. We will review the additional measures needed to better protect younger users online.”
“Importantly, it sends a signal that harms to victims inevitably become harms to society. Our collective well-being is compromised when those who are harmed are denied restitution. With online harms becoming more prevalent, our barometer for acceptable online behaviour has been steadily eroded. But just as we would not tolerate harmful behaviours in the physical world, we also cannot allow bad behaviours to become normalised online. Through OSRA, we hope to avoid such an eventuality. In its place, we want to lay the foundations for our citizens' online interactions by fostering trust in online spaces, Singaporeans can participate safely and confidently in our digital society. Sir, we will continue to work with all our stakeholders from technology companies to community partners to implement OSRA. We continue to welcome Members' views on how we can further improve online safety for Singaporeans. Mr Speaker, may I have your permission to provide a summary in Mandarin, please? (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Harmful content online has seriously affected our online environment and goes against our social values. The Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill focuses on three main areas to strengthen online safety and protect Singaporeans from online harm. First, establishing the OSC will enable victims to receive help more quickly. When harmful content is encountered, the OSC can also issue directions requiring perpetrators or platforms to swiftly remove relevant content and stop its dissemination. This is precisely the outcome that most victims wish for. Second, the Bill also clearly lists out unlawful online behaviour, allowing victims to take civil action against the perpetrators and make perpetrators bear legal consequences for their actions.”
“But the OSC's operational model and its oversight process are designed to be reasonable and fair to all. This is balanced against the need to act expeditiously and reduce the possibility of victim re-traumatisation. We also need to minimise long-drawn investigations and appeal cases. In designing our set-up for the Office of the Commissioner of Online Safety, we drew lessons from Australia's eSafety Commissioner. We learnt much from their generous sharing of experience to build a model that works for Singapore. For example, eSafety started small, focusing only on image-based child abuse material and cyberbullying of a child or young person under 18. To put OSC on a firm footing, we will, similarly, also start off by tackling the most severe and prevalent harms. Minister of State Rahayu will share more on the phased implementation approach. While we learnt important lessons from Australia's eSafety, I should point out, there are differences. For example, the Commissioner of Online Safety in Singapore will be empowered to deal with a wider set of harms. OSRA identifies thirteen types of harms which affect Singaporeans from all walks of life. The Commissioner can issue directions other than what is colloquially known as a "takedown". For instance, it can issue a Right-of-Reply Direction that will allow the offending content to be seen alongside the victim's reply. The Commissioner can also seek the platform's cooperation to obtain identity information of perpetrators. Sir, I cannot overstate the importance of the OSC being able to act swiftly and effectively. This victim-centric approach is the cornerstone of the OSC. After all, what Singaporeans have said they want most is a simple and effective way to protect themselves from online harms.”
“An agency, the Online Safety Commission (OSC), will be set up to support the Office of the Commissioner. OSC will be empowered to issue directions to communicators of harmful content, administrators of groups or pages and platforms. These directions require the recipients to act quickly on the harmful content. OSC will start by tackling online harms that are most prevalent and Singaporeans consider the most severe. Other harms will be dealt with progressively. The Minister of State Rahayu will elaborate on how OSC is intended to operate. Second, OSRA will introduce statutory torts. This is a major improvement. It provides a legal basis for the victim to take action. Most importantly, it will allow victims to initiate legal proceedings against those responsible for causing or continuing the harm. Sir, studies have shown that Singaporeans see online safety as a shared responsibility between technology companies, individuals, the Government, parents and schools. The proposed statutory torts will clarify the duties that users, administrators of groups and platforms owe to each other. It will significantly reduce ambiguity about what online behaviours are considered harmful and unlawful. Third, OSRA provides victims with the means to identify the person who caused the harm. Not all victims want this, but for those who do, OSRA plugs a gap. Minister Edwin Tong will elaborate on this. Sir, if Parliament passes OSRA, Singapore will be one of only a few countries worldwide to have an agency dedicated to helping victims of online harm. While we have few counterparts to learn from, this does not deter us. In setting up the OSC, we considered various models, such as mediation and dispute resolution. Victims are at the very heart of the OSC's mission.”
“They include calls by Mr Darryl David for victim-centric remediation; Ms Mariam Jaafar and Dr Wan Rizal for better platform accountability; Ms Tin Pei Ling, for more timely responses and respectful behaviours online; Ms Nadia Samdin, to lift the veil of online anonymity; Ms Hany Soh to address the use of deepfakes for extortion; Mr Yip Hon Weng, to firmly combat cyberbullying; and Mr Abdul Muhaimin, to deter hate speech. Mr Speaker, these calls by Members have reinforced where we can do more to strengthen protection for victims of online harms. They align closely with multiple studies conducted over the years by the Government, academics and non-government organisations. Let me share some important findings from these studies. The first important finding is that victims often want quick takedowns of online harms. A study by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) showed that platforms take about five days or more to act on valid reports of online harms. Many valid reports are not even acted on. This is highly unsatisfactory to victims. The second important finding is that victims are daunted by the existing channels for seeking remedies and in particular, they find court processes complex and expensive. The third important finding is that victims face difficulties seeking restitution. This is because they are often unable to confirm who was responsible for the harm. They continue to be in fear and cannot find closure. Today, we are taking a decisive step to introduce legislation. It will give victims of online harms an avenue of timely, effective and accessible redress. OSRA aims to do this in three ways. First, OSRA will establish the Office of the Commissioner of Online Safety.”
“Members may also access these materials through the SG Parl MP mobile app. Members may refer to Handout 1. We can see that many victims add up to some very disturbing numbers. A Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) study revealed that more than four in five had encountered harmful online content in the past year. This included content supporting illegal activities, sexual content and violent content. Many of these harms occur on platforms where people go for entertainment, such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. In addition to POHA, the Government has made several moves to enhance online safety. In 2022, we amended the Broadcasting Act to require social media services to disable access to egregious content, including content advocating suicide or self-harm. In 2023, we introduced the Code of Practice for Online Safety. Designated social media services were required to put in place systems and processes to enhance online safety, especially for children and youths. These laws have helped in some measure to stem the tide of online harms. However, they were not a panacea, nor could they be. The impact of technology evolves and is often understood only with time. We have therefore made it a point to review our laws regularly. Most recently, in January 2024, Parliament debated a Motion on Building an Inclusive and Safe Digital Society. The Motion and other Parliamentary Questions filed by MPs have contributed many useful ideas.”
“The Government made a clear commitment to tackle online harms. Many victims are women and girls, but men and boys have also suffered in silence. With your permission, Mr Speaker, may I ask the clerk to distribute handouts to Members?”
“Sir, the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill or OSRA, is designed to protect victims of online harms. Unfortunately, we know of too many victims. In too many cases, we actually know the victims. We know their families and the pains they suffer. We know too that this is a very difficult problem. We want to take further action, but how? This Bill is our answer. While the Bill is new, Members' concerns are not. As far back as 2014, when the Protection from Harassment Bill was debated, Ms Tin Pei Ling asked about removing offensive content and identifying perpetrators online. In 2019, we amended the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) to cover online harassment. Members of Parliament (MPs), including Mr Christopher de Souza, Mr Patrick Tay, and Minister of State Rahayu Mahzam, then a first-term MP, asked if victims would be given sufficient assistance when they approached the courts for help. In 2021, deep in the trenches of COVID-19, my Ministry set up the Sunlight Alliance for Action. It was a serious attempt to address online harms, especially those targeted at women and girls. Members like Senior Minister of State Sim Ann and Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim were actively involved. Sunlight shone a spotlight on the prevalence of online harms and their severe impact on victims. Arising from this effort, a new organisation, SG Her Empowerment (SHE) was born. Subsequent studies by SHE showed that two in five online harm survivors experienced at least one severe form of impact. These include serious emotional, mental or physical consequences like depression or self-harm. Three in four victims of online harms choose not to voice their opinions online for fear of being targeted if they did so. In 2022, Members debated the white paper on Singapore Women's Development.”
“Mr Speaker, I move that the Bill be now read a Second time. Sir, Ms He Ting Ru has filed a notice to move amendments to the Bill. They relate to the principles and outcomes of the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill. I therefore seek your consent to have the Second Reading of the Bill and the amendments debated together.”
“News organisations exercise editorial judgement and discretion when deciding which issues are of interest to their readers, as long as their reporting remains responsible, accurate and within the bounds of the law and applicable content codes. Content on linear television channels and radio must follow content codes that prevent programmes from normalising or encouraging gambling, or providing gambling tips. Members of the public would also give their feedback on the news coverage directly to the relevant news organisations. For each TOTO draw, the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) allows Singapore Pools to publish on its website the jackpot size, the number of winners and where the jackpot winners had purchased their tickets. This ensures transparency in TOTO draw results. In addition, GRA regulates gambling advertisements to address the social harms associated with lottery gambling. Singapore Pools is required to seek GRA's approval for every gambling advertisement it intends to publish. In making its decision, GRA will consider whether the content may excessively induce gambling or provide misleading information on the probability of winning. Besides regulating advertising and promotion, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has put in place other social safeguards to mitigate the social harms of gambling, such as prohibiting betting on credit. The National Council on Problem Gambling also conducts regular public education media campaigns and outreach during peak gambling periods, such as Chinese New Year. GRA and MSF will continue to monitor the lottery gambling situation and review our social safeguards as necessary.”
“This includes conducting risk assessments and putting in place appropriate measures, such as diversifying service providers and business continuity plans, to manage risks and reduce the impact should a disruption occur.”
“Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) are computer systems necessary for the provision of essential services in sectors, such as government, telecommunications, and banking and finance. CIIs are required to meet stringent resilience requirements under the Cybersecurity Act and relevant sectoral regulations. For example, they must adopt technology and supplier diversity and cater redundancy for key system components. While CII operators may use the cloud for service delivery, they are required to put in place measures to mitigate the risk of over-dependence on cloud service providers. CIIs must already conduct exercises and audits to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure the robustness of these resilience measures. The forthcoming Digital Infrastructure Act will strengthen our regulatory levers for upholding the resilience of systemically important digital infrastructure, such as cloud services and data centres. It will introduce regulatory requirements for major cloud service providers to implement measures, such as security testing, user access controls, proper data governance and planning for disaster recovery. These requirements will reference existing international and industry standards and will be similar to the measures set out in the Advisory Guidelines for the Resilience and Security of Cloud Services, which was developed in consultation with industry stakeholders and released in February 2025. Even with these efforts, disruptions can be minimised but not completely prevented. We therefore encourage businesses to plan and prepare for contingencies.”
“CSA has also partnered with associations, industry and academic partners to facilitate the training of fresh and mid-career professionals for the cybersecurity profession. Today, Singapore is home to about 10,000 cybersecurity professionals. This figure has more than doubled compared to just eight years ago. While the government will partner and support CII owners in cyber defence, CII owners are ultimately accountable for meeting the regulatory obligations under the Cybersecurity Act, and more importantly, for the cybersecurity outcomes of their organisations and systems. This is because they own the systems and networks and are responsible for all decisions relating to their network, including system architecture and the day-to-day operations.”
“My response will also cover the matters raised in oral questions filed by Ms Poh Li San1 and Mr Yip Hon Weng2, both scheduled for a subsequent sitting. I invite Members to seek clarifications, if need be. If the questions have been addressed, it may not be necessary for the Members to proceed with their questions in a subsequent sitting. Globally, malicious cyber activity has been increasing. As a digital hub, Singapore is not immune to these threats. Like other countries, we have been experiencing a rise in attacks by cyber criminals as well as state-linked actors. Our critical information infrastructure (CII) is a strategic target. As these systems support essential services, there can be severe consequences if they are compromised. To safeguard the cybersecurity of our CII, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) holds CII owners to higher cybersecurity standards and obligations under the Cybersecurity Code of Practice. CSA will continue to update these standards and obligations to keep pace with the evolving threat landscape. We will also partner CII owners by equipping them with tools and capabilities to help them deal with advanced cyber threats. This includes sharing classified threat intelligence with CII owners, which will help them be on the lookout for specific threats. CSA will put in place safeguards to ensure that the information is properly handled. CII owners will also have to comply with the Official Secrets Act. Sensitive information which may affect national security or foreign relations will be appropriately redacted. Having a strong cybersecurity workforce that can meet Singapore’s needs is critical.”
“The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has actively engaged our international counterparts, including those in the United States of America, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Australia, on their plans for age assurance, for both sides to cross-share best practices. These learning points are useful as we shape our own age assurance policies. Designated App Distribution Services, also known as app stores, must implement age assurance measures by 31 March 2026 as required by the Code of Practice for Online Safety for App Distribution Services. Besides Google Play Store, this includes Apple App Store, Huawei AppGallery, Microsoft Store and Samsung Galaxy Store. Later this year, MDDI will also begin to engage our six designated Social Media Services on similar age assurance requirements. Other than YouTube, this includes Facebook, HardwareZone, Instagram, TikTok and X.”
“We deal with hate and offensive speech against new citizens in the same way as those born here. Under the Broadcasting Act, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) can direct Internet Content Providers (ICPs) to take down material that is against national harmony or direct online communication services to disable access to egregious content, including content likely to cause racial or religious disharmony in Singapore. In addition, there are criminal laws to deal with speech that could wound racial or religious feelings. For example, under the Penal Code, it is an offence to commit acts that promote enmity between different racial groups or that are prejudicial to the maintenance of racial harmony. If these acts are perpetuated online, the Online Criminal Harms Act allows the Government to restrict access of Singapore users to such content. In 2019, the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (MRHA) was also amended to strengthen the Government's ability to respond effectively to threats against religious harmony in the digital age. There are similar provisions under the MRHA passed earlier this year. The Ministry of Digital Development and Information and the Ministry of Law will soon table the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill to establish the new Online Safety Commission by the first half of 2026. The Commission is a dedicated agency that will support victims of specified online harms (for example, incitement of enmity or violence against any group), to seek timely relief from perpetrators and platforms.”
“The Toy Library is a new service piloted at Punggol Library as part of the National Library Board's (NLB's) aim to provide accessible learning resources and foster community connections through its network of public libraries. NLB's current focus remains on promoting reading and literacy in children. To support this aim, it offers lending and book delivery services. There are no plans to provide a toy-lending service.”
“Over the past five years, the Infocomm Media Development Authority has received four complaints regarding poor mobile network connectivity at two condominiums in Sentosa. Mobile network operators have resolved the issue for one condominium and they are working to enhance coverage for the other condominium.”
“Under the Libraries of the Future Masterplan (LOTF), the National Library Board (NLB) ensures that branch libraries, like Sengkang Library, are supported by larger regional libraries which serve a wider region and offer more services and collections. During its last revamp in 2017, Sengkang Library was already expanded by 18%. Since then, NLB has also opened Punggol Library at the One Punggol integrated hub. NLB will continuously review and ensure that library collections and services meet the needs of the communities they serve.”
“Agencies across Government are assessing the prevalence and impact of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) on our children and youths. Meanwhile, there are already some measures in place to protect younger users online. Under our Codes of Practice for Online Safety, designated app stores must implement age assurance measures by 31 March 2026 to reduce the risk of under-18 users being able to access and download age-inappropriate apps. Existing frameworks, such as the Model AI Governance Framework for Generative AI, which fosters responsible development and use of AI, apply to online safety for youths and children. The Government complements regulations with education and resources to equip young users and parents to use technology, including gen AI, safely and responsibly. In schools, Cyber Wellness and Mental Health Education lessons are taught as part of the Ministry of Education's (MOE's) Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) curriculum. Through the lessons, students learn to be safe, respectful and responsible online users, and to take care of their mental well-being. The Infocomm Media Development Authority's Digital Skills for Life framework now includes content on how to use gen AI and manage its potential risks. In addition, parents, children and youths may refer to the recently released Positive Use Guide on Technology and Social Media for practical tips on building healthy and balanced relationships with technology. We will continue to work with stakeholders to create safer online spaces, so that every Singaporean is empowered to thrive safely in the digital age.”
“In this way, we also help the local production houses, including Mediacorp, reach an international audience and tell Singapore stories better. And I am pleased to share with him that since this fund was launched, in fact, there have been productions that have been provided with the support, and we will assess to what extent this kind of support can be sustained as well as expanded in the future.”
“Mr Speaker, I am very heartened by the Member's enthusiastic support for creators of local drama content, local entertainment content. I realise that he and I share something in common now. Growing up on local TV productions, we probably can hum several tunes together, given the right opportunity. He is right that there is a need to support such local production initiatives and he mentioned a few examples that are now available on streaming services, such as Netflix, and soon to come, Tencent. These are very important to widening the reach of not just Mediacorp's productions, but also the productions of independent media content creators in Singapore. They both contribute to the vibrancy of our local ecosystem. In that regard, I am happy to share with him that it is not just the negotiations that are commercial in nature that take place between the production houses, including Mediacorp, and streaming services. These will, obviously, have to be carried forward with a view towards making sure that there is actually demand for the productions. Another very important way in which we are supporting this effort is through the International Co-Production Fund that the Infocomm Media Development Authority launched about two years ago. What this programme does is to provide funding support to the producers of local drama series to collaborate with their international counterparts, and their international counterparts will include scriptwriters, directors, producers. The reason we want to do so is to enable a reach into the wider pool of talents that are available but, more importantly, to create content that has potentially an audience beyond Singapore, even though the themes are very much anchored on Singapore.”
“We will continue to ensure that Government funding can adequately and effectively support our PSM in achieving their national mission.”
“Sir, our Public Service Media (PSM) play an important role to inform, educate and connect Singaporeans. They provide trusted and timely sources of information to form a common basis for social discourse. They also reflect our multicultural fabric and way of life. To enable our PSM entities to effectively adapt and innovate in the fast-changing media landscape, the Government provides funding for their overall operations, rather than individual programmes. Over the past five financial years, the Government has allocated about $380 million annually to support Mediacorp to reach domestic audiences across four languages. This is lower than the annual funding of approximately $750 million allocated to the national broadcasters of Finland and Denmark, which have similar population sizes to Singapore. Mediacorp reached more than 90% of the local population through its owned and operated platforms as well as social media platforms. More than 75% of its audiences were satisfied with its services. We do not have comparable reach data in the earlier years as we have moved from tracking solely television (TV) reach to a broader reach metric across all Mediacorp's platforms and social media platforms. This is in keeping with the domestic audiences' changing consumption habits and Mediacorp's broader network strategy. For example, Mediacorp's TV reach dropped by about 10% over the last decade or so, but unique video viewers on meWATCH have increased by about 80% in the same period. Meanwhile, public satisfaction with Mediacorp has held steady, at more than 75% across this time period. The Government is committed to continue supporting our PSM to deliver high-quality and trusted news and entertainment content to Singaporeans.”
“Mr Speaker, may I have your permission to answer Question Nos 4 and 5 together?”
“Subscriptions for the National Library Board's (NLB's) "The Little Book Box" service are based on a quarterly cycle, with each subscription period lasting three months. In the current October to December 2025 cycle, 870 subscribers have signed up for the service. Of these, 85% have opted to receive books in both English and their selected Mother Tongue Language. NLB has received positive feedback on the service.”
“The National Library Board (NLB) launched Borrow-n-Deliver as a pilot service in 2023. Since then, it has fulfilled more than 5,000 orders, which involved more than 11,000 books loaned out. The largest percentage of borrowers are in the 40 to 49 years age group, followed by 30 to 39 years. NLB is exploring collaborations with partners to create more awareness for the services. As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, NLB has also extended a one-time complimentary Borrow-n-Deliver service for eligible patrons.”
“The sample of respondents for the Digital Parenting Survey is representative of the national proportions of parents in Singapore by gender, age and race. We are unable to determine representativeness by parents' income levels because such data is not made available through this survey.”
“Under the Postal Services Regulations 2008, prohibited postal articles include arms or explosives, hazardous substances, controlled drugs and other dangerous substances. Screening is done at selective locations, for example, at our borders. SingPost staff are also trained to look out for suspicious signs such as leaks in postal articles. When a suspicious mail is discovered, SingPost's standard procedure is to refer it to the Police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, who will respond to assess the threat, and contain it if necessary.”
“Under the Codes of Practice for Online Safety, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) requires designated app stores to implement age assurance measures by 31 March 2026 to reduce the likelihood of young users under 18 years old accessing and downloading age-inappropriate apps. Designated social media services are already required to apply more stringent content moderation measures for children and provide tools for parents and guardians to manage their children's interactions. Later this year, we will also begin to engage these designated social media services on similar age assurance requirements. This will further enhance online safety for children. MDDI and the Ministry of Law will also be tabling the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill to establish the new Online Safety Commission by the first half of 2026. The Commission is a dedicated agency that will support victims of specified online harms, for example, cyberbullying, including children, to seek timely relief from perpetrators and platforms. For example, the Commission can issue directions to put a stop to the online harm or mitigate and prevent further harm for these victims. While regulations provide important safeguards, we recognise that parents want more help for their children to develop healthy digital habits and to stay safe online. This is why MDDI and the Infocomm Media Development Authority have been working with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social and Family Development, as well as community organisations and industry, to better support parents with information resources and actionable tips. We will also enhance community-based outreach through collaborations with community partners.”
“There is a wide range of age assurance solutions on the market, including age verification, age estimation and age inference solutions. However, none of these measures are foolproof. A child can still circumvent these measures, such as through using an adult's account to access age-inappropriate content. Nonetheless, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has taken the first step to require designated App Distribution Services, also known as app stores, to implement age assurance measures as part of the Code of Practice for Online Safety for App Distribution Services. The age assurance measures seek to reduce the likelihood of young users accessing and downloading age-inappropriate apps of all types, beyond just social media apps. Designated app stores are expected to implement these age assurance measures by 31 March 2026. At the outset, they are required to be able to minimally ascertain whether users are under 18. Later this year, we will also begin to engage designated social media services on similar age assurance requirements. This comes on top of existing protective measures for children under the current Code of Practice for Online Safety for Social Media Services. Like many parents, we believe it is important to protect children and youth from inappropriate content when they go online. Age assurance measures are useful but insufficient. This is why MDDI will also work with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social and Family Development, as well as community partners, to better support parents with information resources and actionable tips.”
“Singapore's 999 or 995 emergency calls are designed and set up differently than the 000 service in Australia. We thus do not experience the same challenges. We take the continued availability of our telecommunication networks very seriously. Telecommunications service providers must meet resilience requirements. These include meeting minimum coverage and Quality of Service standards and conducting regular audits. Should a disruption occur, they are expected to expeditiously restore network services and undertake rectification measures to prevent re-occurrence. The incidents will also be investigated and firm enforcement action will be taken where necessary.”
“We are reviewing how to adapt and strengthen these frameworks and systems to account for the increased autonomy of agentic systems, while monitoring international developments in this emerging field. Second, we are developing capabilities to go beyond existing frameworks and approaches. We are running trials and experiments to stay abreast of the evolving technology and to understand what it takes to implement agentic systems responsibly. For example, the Government Technology Agency of Singapore has been experimenting with agentic AI in public sector use cases. We are doing this with care. This approach will deepen our understanding of how to interact with these systems, build confidence and harness their value for the public good.”
“In our current artificial intelligence (AI) governance approach, many AI risks are covered by broad legislation such as the Personal Data Protection Act, the Workplace Fairness Act and the Broadcasting Act, and sector-specific guidelines in the healthcare, finance and legal sectors. For specific risks, there are also targeted interventions, for example, Elections (Integrity of Online Advertising) (Amendment) Act, and the upcoming Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill. Human and organisational accountability is central to Singapore’s AI governance approach. The Government’s Model AI Governance Framework sets out guidelines for AI systems to be explainable, transparent and fair. Organisations deploying AI should establish clear governance structures with designated oversight roles. They should ensure meaningful human accountability in AI-augmented decision-making. Organisations should also implement risk management processes to monitor and mitigate risks, such as algorithmic bias. Agentic AI presents new opportunities and risks. These systems can execute actions, interact with external systems and adapt their behaviour with reduced human oversight. Our response focuses on two areas. First, we recognise that many risks arising from agentic AI are extensions of existing challenges. Existing guidelines and regulations, including risk management processes and oversight, apply to agentic AI systems. The principle of maintaining human accountability and putting in place sufficient controls and guardrails also applies. In addition, our long-standing efforts to strengthen data protection, cybersecurity and resilience help protect the systems that AI agents interact with.”
“The Infocomm Media Development Authority's (IMDA's) CTO-as-a-Service platform provides SMEs access to various resources for AI adoption, including pre-approved AI-enabled solutions supported by grants, such as the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG). With its simple application and approval processes, the PSG is designed to be accessible to small and micro enterprises. In 2024, almost 3,000 SMEs, including micro enterprises, adopted AI-enabled solutions. In addition, the Heartland Enterprise Centre Singapore (HECS) offers training programmes to equip heartland merchants with basic digital skills, including the use of common AI tools. For those keen on more advanced AI applications, HECS refers them to relevant partners.”
“The Member is likely referring to declassified documents cited in a recent CNA documentary, "Separation: Declassified – 100 Days That Created a Nation". It is unclear what updates to historical accounts in official records and textbooks Mr Giam is seeking. The declassified materials he refers to are not new. The British and Australian documents were first disclosed in the early 1990s and have been available to scholars, journalists and others for close to 35 years now. Professor Albert Lau relied on these documents as well other source material in his definitive account of Separation, "A Moment Of Anguish: Singapore in Malaysia and the Politics of Disengagement", which first appeared in 1998. That same year, the first volume of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's memoir appeared, The Singapore Story. In this memoir, Mr Lee told a gripping account of the events leading up to Singapore's Independence. Beside the British, Australian and New Zealand documents that had already been declassified by then, Mr Lee relied on the recollections of his chief colleagues involved in the negotiations with Malaysia, in particular, Dr Goh Keng Swee and Mr E W Barker, his own oral history and contemporaneous notes. The very nature of historical accounts means that there are differing points of view. For example, Mr E W Barker had called Singapore's Independence a "negotiated separation". Keen students of history have access to these materials and can form their own nuanced views.”
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a general-purpose technology. Its value depends on how it is used across multiple settings. The refreshed National AI Strategy 2.0, launched in 2023, is intended to promote ownership and capability development by key stakeholders in each domain, to apply AI in impactful ways. It does not presume that a centralised entity is best suited for this purpose. However, where helpful, the Government steps in. For example, the sectoral AI Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing convenes stakeholders across industry, research and the startup ecosystem to develop AI-enabled solutions for use cases in the manufacturing sector. These include quality assurance, predictive maintenance and operations optimisation. Companies in other industries will likely need different AI-enabled solutions, some of which may already be available off-the-shelf. We will continue to work with relevant partners to support industry adoption, whether it is to discover readily-available AI solutions or to develop new ones.”
“The Government is committed to ensuring that all citizens, including seniors and persons with disabilities, can easily access and benefit from digital Government services. Digital accessibility is an ongoing effort. Agencies are required to design and develop digital services that are: (a) accessible and inclusive; (b) usable; and (c) relevant to users’ needs. To strengthen these efforts: a. The Government's Digital Service Standards were enhanced this month to place greater emphasis on usability and accessibility. For example, ensuring that digital content can be accurately identified and read by assistive technologies, so that persons with disabilities can navigate public digital services more effectively. b. In July this year, the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech Singapore) also launched the A11y Playground, a website that provides developers, designers, and digital service owners with a suite of assessment tools, such as a technical checklist, to support adoption of inclusive design practices. This is in addition to existing tools, such as Oobee, which assesses websites’ accessibility and suggests improvements. c. Citizen engagement communities, such as GovTech Singapore's Tech Kaki, bring together individuals with diverse needs to provide feedback that help make digital Government services more accessible. While we work to include everyone digitally, we will continue to adopt a “digital first, but not digital only” approach. Citizens who need in-person support will still be able to receive assistance at Government agencies' physical service touchpoints and hotline services, and at ServiceSG Centres.”
“Mobile network operators (MNOs) are required to meet the Infocomm Media Development Authority's (IMDA) 4G Service Quality of Service (QoS) standard to provide at least 99% coverage in outdoor areas, and at least 85% coverage within buildings. The IMDA conducts regular checks islandwide to ascertain that MNOs have met these standards. If MNOs fall short, or where there is feedback on weak mobile coverage in specific locations, for example, within buildings, MNOs are required to enhance coverage to address these gaps within six months. MNOs have resolved about half of such complaints received this year by deploying more telecommunications equipment to enhance coverage. They are actively working to resolve the rest of the complaints to ensure good mobile coverage for Singaporeans, including by seeking approvals from agencies and building owners for deployments.”
“The TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) initiative has been a key initiative in driving the growth of tech talent in Singapore and helping non-tech workers pivot into tech roles. Since 2016, TeSA has placed more than 21,000 locals into tech jobs, including mid-career professionals, through initiatives such as the Infocomm Media Development Authority's Tech Immersion and Placement Programme (TIPP) and Workforce Singapore's Career Conversion Programme. Under TeSA, mid-career professionals pick up relevant tech skills, including cloud computing, software development and AI, and get emplaced into entry-level tech roles, such as AI application developers, cybersecurity associates, and software engineers. Over 90% of TeSA participants stay in the same role for 24 months after completing the programme. We do not typically track participants' last drawn salary.”
“Cinemas are commercial entities that have to remain financially sustainable through ticket sales, concessions and advertising revenue. The Government does not prescribe the types of cinema models or the range and variety of content shown. Cinema operators are best positioned to assess audience preferences, develop concepts, and source suitable commercial spaces from landowners. When changes occur to cinema operations, the landowners will determine the redevelopment of these commercial spaces accordingly. While the Government cannot directly intervene in these commercial decisions, we remain committed to supporting the broader cultural and creative ecosystem, for example through schemes for local filmmakers and film projects, grants for arts organisations, and key cultural programmes. Local films can also reach broader audiences through online streaming platforms. Films such as Monster Island (2024), which is available on Netflix, and Ajoomma (2022), the first Singapore film to launch exclusively on Amazon Prime, demonstrate how local productions have also found success through online streaming, beyond traditional cinema. Employees who are displaced due to the closure of businesses can access a variety of support in the form of career services and resources, offered by Workforce Singapore (WSG) and its partners. Additionally, Singapore Citizens who are involuntarily unemployed due to reasons such as cessation of business and were previously earning below $5,000 per month can apply for the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme that offers temporary financial support of up to S$6,000 over six months.”
“During the 2025 General Election, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) remained vigilant against coordinated inauthentic behaviour that could have influenced election outcomes. MDDI was aware of local media reports about the alleged inauthentic social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram that appeared to target different political parties during the election period. While MDDI did not make content removal requests to the social media platforms in relation to inauthentic accounts and behaviour, we worked with Meta on their investigation. They then acted against accounts that violated their community guidelines, including those suspected of being inauthentic. We continue to monitor the online space and will act on content that is in breach of our laws.”
“As of September 2025, about 8% of Singapore Citizen/Permanent Residents seniors aged 65 and above do not have a Singpass account. This is an improvement from the 11% in 2020. Among seniors with Singpass accounts, about 9% have not logged in over the last 12 months. Nevertheless, seniors are regular users of Government e-services, particularly those related to finance, healthcare and retirement. For example, between March and September 2025, over 900,000 seniors accessed RedeemSG to claim Government-issued vouchers and over 490,000 accessed Central Provident Fund digital services. Overall, the Government takes a digital-first but not digital-only approach. We will continue to support seniors in adopting Singpass, helping them conveniently access Government digital services. For those who are unable to transact digitally, we will continue to provide non-digital options and assistance through physical service touchpoints at various agencies, hotline services and ServiceSG centres around Singapore.”
“Ultimately, NLB makes the decision based on how it can best serve and reach more patrons with its services and collections. NLB's experience has shown that these decisions have led to more people visiting libraries. Mall libraries receive about 30% more visitors per month on average than standalone libraries over a three-year period. The average monthly visitorship of a mall library is about 60,000. In contrast, the monthly average visitorship to Ang Mo Kio Library and Geylang East Library are only about 50-60% of that. Relocating Ang Mo Kio Library and Geylang East Library to nearby malls will enable NLB to serve more residents. The Government understands that public libraries hold social relevance and fond memories for many people. Apart from conserving Queenstown Library, NLB and the Urban Redevelopment Authority will work together with stakeholders on ways to celebrate the legacies of libraries that are relocated. This includes heritage interpretation in various forms, such as through digital documentation; physical markers, like storyboards, and sensitive urban design to retain a sense of place and character.”
“My response will also cover the matters raised in the Oral Question by Mr Andre Low, which is scheduled for a subsequent Sitting1. If the questions have been addressed, it may not be necessary to proceed with the Questions for future Sittings. I thank the Members for raising questions regarding our libraries. I have shared in my reply to Ms Tin Pei Ling's Adjournment Motion yesterday that libraries play a fundamental role as custodians of knowledge and serve as critical community institutions. Our libraries are key anchors for the community that must remain accessible. The revamp and relocation of libraries are in line with the National Library Board's (NLB's) Libraries of the Future (LOTF) Masterplan, a 15-year plan that charts the next phase of development for public libraries from 2017 to 2030. As part of this plan, NLB's strategy has been to move standalone libraries to locations which have easy access to transportation hubs and networks. These locations, which may include shopping malls and integrated hubs, provide convenience to library users and ensure that public libraries are accessible to as many residents as possible. By siting public libraries at convenient locations, at least 80% of the resident population stay within 15 minutes by public transport. The decision to relocate any library is not taken lightly. NLB does so in consultation with the relevant Government agencies and community partners. NLB takes into consideration various factors, such as land use plans, accessibility to major transport nodes, the number of residents it can best serve, the library's age, the number of years since the last major renovation and the suitability of the available space.”
“It is not clear which proposed collaboration the Member is referring to. SPH Media, as a news agency that covers international developments, should be plugged into the international media network and have many collaborations with foreign partners and industry players, including Chinese news organisations, to share content as well as insights on latest developments in the media landscape. Nonetheless, the Member can be assured that there are regulations in place to guard against foreign interference of our local media. Under the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act and the Broadcasting Act, the Government has provisions to guard against foreign interference of editorial content and decision-making in local newspapers and broadcast media. Funds from foreign sources for non-commercial purposes are prohibited for such newspaper and broadcasting companies. These safeguards apply regardless of whether the newspaper is receiving Government funding and we will take swift action should we detect any signs of foreign interference in our local media.”
“The National Library Board's (NLB's) Libraries of the Future (LOTF) Masterplan is a 15-year plan to systematically revamp and upgrade the older public libraries from 2017 to 2030. As part of this plan, NLB's strategy has been to move standalone libraries to locations which have easy access to transportation hubs and networks. These locations, which may include shopping malls and integrated hubs, provide convenience to library users and ensure that public libraries are accessible to as many residents as possible. Geylang East Library, which was opened in 1988, is covered under this plan. When the relocation to Tanjong Katong Complex is completed in 2030, Geylang East Library will be brought closer to Paya Lebar Mass Rapid Transit station, which is an interchange station on the East-West Line and the Circle Line. We recognise that whenever public libraries are relocated, they will become closer to some residents and farther for others. We therefore strive to ensure the new locations remain accessible. For residents who live near the existing Geylang East Library, the new location is a short bus ride away. Notwithstanding this, NLB has engaged Geylang East residents to better understand their needs and is separately working to identify a potential suitable space nearby to provide some form of library presence, such as a reading corner or a pop-up library, in the vicinity. We will also work with the relevant grassroots organisations to help residents access NLB's digital resources or delivery services.”
“Under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), organisations are required to implement policies and practices to handle access requests. These typically include having appropriate measures to preserve the requested personal data while the request is being processed. There are also additional safeguards to ensure that lawful and valid requests are fulfilled, including data retention requirements in case there is a review of denied requests, and criminal penalties for intentional concealment or destruction of records to avoid access requests. The Ministry for Digital Development and Information regularly reviews the PDPA framework to ensure it continues to align with our national objectives and remains relevant.”
“To this end, Singapore participates in regular CERT-to-CERT exchanges and joint cross-border operations, including with regional partners through the ASEAN Regional Computer Emergency Response Team. While we have the foundations laid, we cannot afford to be complacent. APTs are highly skilled and well-resourced. They are constantly testing their target' defences and finding new ways to achieve their objectives. Therefore, CSA is reviewing how we can work with relevant agencies and stakeholders to better protect our CII. We will share more when ready.”