The law allows the government to block content online.
Background: Lawmakers in Singapore have been looking at the issue of disinformation since the start of 2018. The government issued a Green Paper in January 2018, on challenges and implications of ‘deliberate online falsehoods’. Shortly after, the Parliament established a Select Committee, which carried out hearings with experts and industry. It released a report in September 2018.
The law: On 1st April 2019, the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill was introduced. It was passed on 8 May 2019, on its second reading, with an overwhelming majority. Only the nine members of the opposition voted against, whereas the 72 lawmakers of the majority voted in favour. The law forbids the publication of statements believed to be false, or that could harm Singapore’s security, relationship with other countries, or influence the result of elections, among other possible consequences. Heavy penalties apply, with imprisonment between one and 10 years, depending on the breach, or fines between SGD20k (USD14.7k) and SGD100k (USD73.3k), or up to SGD1m (USD733k) for companies.
The reaction: The government defended the law, saying it would mostly be directed at technology companies rather than individuals. However representatives from Human Rights Watch have described it as a “disaster for online expression by ordinary Singaporeans”, and a “hammer blow” against the independence of online news. Tech companies such as Google and Facebook have also been critical, as they consider the law gives the government too much power in deciding what is true or false.
