Singapore
Singapore Introduces New Laws and Age Measures to Strengthen Online Safety: Singapore is stepping up its commitment to digital safety and accountability with a comprehensive set of new legislative and regulatory initiatives. These measures aim to empower victims of online harms, enhance platform responsibility, and promote safer digital engagement for young users across social media and other online platforms.
Building on landmark frameworks such as the Online Criminal Harms Act and the Protection from Harassment Act, the latest proposals from the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) mark a decisive shift toward a holistic, preventive, and victim-centered approach to tackling online risks — from harmful content to child protection.
New Online Safety Bill Targets Accountability
To reinforce protections against online harms, the MDDI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Law, has introduced the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill (OSRA) for its First Reading in Parliament. The Bill will empower victims with faster and more accessible channels to seek redress against online abuse, harassment, or circulation of harmful content.
Under the proposed law, a new Online Safety Commission (OSC) will be formed to investigate reports, issue directives to online platforms or perpetrators, and enforce content removal or account restrictions. Importantly, victims will also be able to publish official responses to counter misinformation or reputational harm.
In urgent or severe cases — including non-consensual image sharing or child exploitation — victims can report directly to the OSC without contacting the platform first. Failure to comply with OSC directives will be treated as an offence, potentially leading to access blocking or app removal. A reconsideration and appeal mechanism will also ensure procedural fairness.
Strengthening Legal Remedies and Deterring Abuse
Beyond immediate relief, OSRA introduces new statutory torts to define the responsibilities and liabilities of online communicators, administrators, and platforms. Victims will gain the right to seek court-ordered injunctions or damages, marking a milestone in digital accountability and transparency.
Additionally, the OSC will have limited powers to unmask anonymous offenders, requiring platforms to disclose identities of individuals responsible for online harm under strict privacy safeguards. This balanced approach aims to deter malicious online behaviour while preserving freedom of expression.
The Bill will be rolled out in phases, focusing first on the most severe online harms. The OSC is projected to become fully operational by mid-2026, following strong public backing during earlier consultations.
Protecting Children Through Age Assurance
Alongside legal reforms, Singapore is intensifying efforts to protect young users on social media platforms. Responding to parliamentary queries about age restrictions, MDDI acknowledged that while age assurance technologies — such as verification, estimation, and inference — are improving, they remain imperfect and can be circumvented.
To counter this, MDDI will require app stores to implement age assurance systems under the Code of Practice for Online Safety for App Distribution Services. By 31 March 2026, app stores must verify whether users are under 18 before granting access to age-restricted platforms.
Later in 2026, designated Social Media Services will also be mandated to adopt comparable verification frameworks, reinforcing their duty to safeguard minors. These codes collectively aim to strengthen accountability and create a more responsible digital ecosystem.
Collaboration Beyond Technology
Recognising that technology alone cannot solve all digital risks, MDDI will partner with other ministries — including the Ministries of Health, Education, and Social and Family Development — as well as community organisations. Together, they will develop resources and practical guidance to help parents, educators, and youth cultivate safe and responsible online habits.
As Singapore advances toward a more secure digital future, the combination of strong legal measures, proactive regulation, and community education underscores its vision of a safe, inclusive, and accountable online environment for all citizens.
