Southeast Asia Information Harbor (www.dnyxxg.com) – Singapore recently proposed a new bill to establish a dedicated agency to compel social media companies to remove harmful content, block access, or delete applications, in order to protect users from cyberbullying and online abuse. According to the Singapore government, the Internet Security (Assistance and Accountability) Bill will provide assistance and legal remedies for victims of harmful content to address the rising number of victims.
The bill will establish an Internet Security Commission (OSC) with the power to handle complaints related to harmful content and issue injunctions requiring social media platforms to remove such content or restrict the use of offending accounts. Failure to comply with orders could result in criminal charges against the organizations or individuals involved. The commission can also order the blocking or deletion of applications to curb harmful online behavior.
The OSC is expected to be operational around June 2026, initially focusing on five main types of harmful online behavior: cyberbullying, unauthorized sharing of personal information, online stalking, abuse of children's images, and illegal sharing of others' private images. Online impersonation and deepfakes will also be brought under regulatory oversight in subsequent phases.
The bill also provides a legal basis for victims to hold perpetrators accountable, and online platforms may be required to disclose the identities of anonymous publishers. According to a survey by Singapore's Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), over 84% of respondents reported exposure to harmful online content, with 33% experiencing direct online harm in the past year. (End)
