Singapore has been witnessing intense debate recently over a draft legislation aimed at promoting a safer online environment for those susceptible to harmful content, especially children and teenagers, amidst a rise in cyber abuse and harassment at home and abroad.
The bill, intended to address the fragility of Singapore’s Internet safeguards, puts a greater obligation on platforms to police content. This has led to discussions over the efficacy of the proposed measures, negative ramifications for freedom of expression, and how social media platforms may fare with shrinking autonomy.
AGAINST WHAT BACKDROP WAS THIS BILL INTRODUCED?
The Online Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill was tabled by the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) on Oct. 3 after a three-and-a-half-week public consultation and a series of engagement sessions with parents, youngsters, academics and other community representatives.
Josephine Teo, minister-in-charge, has stressed that the prevalence of harmful online content and a high degree of digital penetration among Singapore users, including children, has necessitated further efforts to regulate cyberspace. Teo underscored a widespread consensus in Singapore that social media providers should step up efforts to shield young users from content that could jeopardise their mental and physical well-being.
The Ministry made its case by citing a survey it conducted in June. The results showed that almost all respondents believed that harmful online content could have at least a moderate impact on children and youths. Sexual content, cyber-bullying, and violent content was berated as the most severe forms of digital malfeasance that the young needed to be protected from, the MCI added.
When compared internationally, Singapore outstrips most of its global peers in managing cyber risks. The city-state ranked fourth out of 30 countries in the Child Online Safety Index by DQ institute in 2020. But alarmingly, it was perceived as inadequate in social infrastructure and legal framework development.
“The bill was introduced against a backdrop where there is an increasing incidence of online harm and harassment. These range from financial and love scams to harassment and cyberbullying,” says Stefanie Yuen Thio, joint managing partner at TSMP Law Corporation.
“Some recent stories I read about teenagers in Europe taking their own lives because of the severe cyberbullying they were victims of broke my heart. The truth is, it is the most vulnerable in society - the young and the old - who are most susceptible,” she stresses.
WHAT SHOULD ONLINE PLATFORMS WATCH OUT FOR?
The bill is driving the dagger right at the heart of the problem, by imposing new responsibilities on online services providers to minimise, if not eliminate, young internet users’ exposure to “egregious content.” The category encompasses online posts that promote self-harm, suicide, sexual violence and exploitation, hatred, and terrorism.
“I don’t think the credible internet platforms disagree that they should behave responsibly; the question is where to draw the line,” says Yuen Thio.
“The bill seeks to put obligations on online communications service providers to block such harmful content,” she adds. That means social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, could be ordered by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to disable user access to such content or to block specific accounts disseminating such content.
Should an online service provider fail to comply with the IMDA’s directions, the regulator will have the power to block all Singapore users from accessing the non-compliant platform. The platform could also be facing a fine on conviction. However, IMDA’s hands are tied when it comes to private communications.
Yuen Thio endorses the legislation’s intent. “This is not to demonise the internet platforms. However, they are the ones in the best position to guard the gates, so to speak. It is good to have rules to clearly state that service providers with the power to block harmful content are required to do so,” she says.
CAN THE BILL BOLSTER SINGAPORE’S DIGITAL RESILIENCE?
Nowadays, governments worldwide are increasingly worried about weaponisation of the cyberspace, where digital interconnectedness fuelled by decades of information revolution also dooms the soundness of modern infrastructure. “That is the context in which countries are looking at making sure their laws are updated to take into account how the internet works and its impact,” notes Yuen Thio.
She is confident that the bill will catapult Singapore to the front seat of the global ride to enhance internet regulations, despite concerns that the raft of new rules may erode online freedom of expression. “A lot will depend on how the laws are used and the transparency in which they are enforced. That will build legitimacy and trust,” she says.
“For me, the significance of the new bill lies in creating a legal framework where those with the power to protect the vulnerable have a duty to act responsibly,” adds Yuen Thio.
