Singapore Parliament passes online harms Bill after more than eight hours of debate

A new law to offer timely redress and better protection to victims of online harms was passed in Parliament on Nov 5, paving the way for the set-up of a one-stop government agency by June 2026 that can direct platforms to take down harmful content.

The Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill was passed after more than eight hours of debate, where 23 MPs spoke intensely on issues ranging from remedies for victims who are minors to the risk of intruding on users’ privacy and the risk of the new government agency’s power being an overreach.

Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said that victims want quick takedowns of online harms.

A 2025 study by the Infocomm Media Development Authority found that platforms take about five days or more to act on valid reports of online harm.

“This is highly unsatisfactory for victims,” said Mrs Teo.

Victims often live in fear as perpetrators are anonymous. Many are also daunted by the existing complex and expensive court processes for seeking remedies.

But the new one-stop agency, the Online Safety Commission (OSC), will act for victims by issuing directions to platforms, administrators of groups or pages, content communicators, internet service providers or app stores to take down harmful content, restrict the perpetrator’s online account or allow the victim to post a reply. 

The WP proposed five broad amendments, which were voted down by the House. Among the proposed amendments were stating that online material is not harassment if it constitutes “fair comment on a matter of public interest”, and including sexual grooming and the publication of online material that promotes suicide or self-harm under the OSC’s purview.

Singapore will be one of a few countries with an agency dedicated to helping victims of online harms, said Mrs Teo, noting that it drew lessons from Australia’s eSafety Commissioner set up in 2015.

While Singapore learnt important lessons from Australia’s experience, the OSC will deal with a wider set of 13 online harms.

OSC will initially focus on online harassment, doxing, online stalking, intimate image abuse and image-based child abuse.

It will progressively deal with online impersonation, inauthentic material or deepfake abuse, online instigation of disproportionate harm, incitement of violence and enmity, non-consensual disclosure of private information, as well as the publication of false material or reputationally harmful statements.

Victims of non-consensual distribution of intimate photos, child abuse material and doxing will be able to get immediate help from the agency, Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam told Parliament.

Victims of other harms need to file a report to the online platform first. If no response is received after 24 hours, they can contact the OSC.

“While we are setting up the OSC to provide timely relief to victims of specified online harms, platforms remain the first port of call. Platforms must continue to play an active role, and take responsibility for the safety of their users online,” said Ms Rahayu.

Victims need to be Singapore citizens or permanent residents, or possess some prescribed connection to Singapore, to receive help from the OSC. This includes foreigners who are residing here for the long term, said Ms Rahayu.

The degree of harm caused, the number of people harmed and the likelihood of further harm online will be taken into consideration by the OSC before issuing a direction.

“The OSC will also publish guidelines detailing the factors that the OSC will consider in its decision-making process. Such guidelines will also include illustrative examples of when the OSC will or will not act,” said Ms Rahayu.

If an individual fails to comply with a direction, a fine of up to $20,000 or a jail term not exceeding 12 months, or both, may be imposed. A fine of not more than $2,000 for each day the offence continues may also apply after conviction.

Entities that fail to comply with a direction can be liable to a fine not exceeding $500,000. A further fine not exceeding $50,000 for each day the offence continues may be imposed after conviction.

If directions are not complied with, the OSC can issue an access blocking order to an internet service provider or an app removal order to an app distribution service.

For non-compliance, an internet service provider may be fined up to $250,000. A further fine of up to $20,000 for each day the offence continues may also apply after conviction. An app distribution service may be fined up to $500,000. A further fine not exceeding $50,000 for each day the offence continues may also be imposed after conviction.

Affected parties not satisfied with the OSC’s decisions may submit an appeal to the commissioner. If the outcome is still unsatisfactory, the case can go before an independent appeal panel.

If parties continue to be dissatisfied with the outcome of the appeal, they may seek to challenge the decision in court by way of a judicial review. Details of the process will be provided at a later stage.

Victims may apply for the disclosure of a perpetrator’s identity to file a civil claim against the party. Where such information is disclosed, conditions will be imposed to ensure that the victim does not misuse it.

Wrapping up the debate, Ms Rahayu addressed MPs’ questions on whether victims might have to approach multiple agencies, given that there are multiple laws like the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act and Protection from Harassment Act.

She said that the Government will adopt a “no wrong door” policy for victims, and the OSC will work closely with other agencies, including the police, to minimise the need for multiple reports.

Ms Rahayu said that the initial caseload of the OSC is expected to be high, and resources will be allocated accordingly. Specifically, the OSC will be appropriately staffed with people who have a good understanding of society and the online world.

“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,” said Mrs Teo.

With the new legislation, it is hoped that Singapore can lay new foundations for citizens’ online interactions. “By fostering trust in online spaces, Singaporeans can participate safely and confidently in our digital society,” Mrs Teo said.

Online harms victims can seek civil damages under new law debated in Parliament

Victims of online harms can seek damages against platforms, administrators and communicators under proposed new legislation debated in Parliament on Nov 5.

These include compensation for loss of earnings, or an account of profits so wrongdoers cannot retain the benefits. These civil remedies are set out in a framework under the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill.

“At its heart, this Bill is about empowering victims,” said Minister for Law Edwin Tong.

“For some harms, the victims’ earning capacity or livelihoods may be affected, and they should be compensated for their loss of future earnings and the loss of earning capacity, as may be appropriate,” said Mr Tong, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs.

“In other cases, such as where intimate images have been put online for sale, perpetrators may profit from the harm – then in those cases, an account of profits may be ordered so the wrongdoers cannot retain the benefits.”

The types of harm covered include intimate image abuse, image-based child abuse, and online impersonation, among others.

Recalcitrant administrators and communicators could also face enhanced damages under the framework.

Enhanced damages can be awarded to compensate a victim for additional harm caused by the refusal to stop the online harm, and to penalise the perpetrator, said Mr Tong.

He said that just as motor-safety laws introduced in the 1960s eventually made cars safer and reshaped how vehicles were designed, the new Bill can set the right tone for online behaviour for users and platforms.

“They will guide conduct not only through monetary damages, but through shared expectations made explicit,” he said.

Mr Tong also explained how the new Bill will prevent perpetrators from hiding behind a veil of anonymity online. Today, victims need to start court proceedings, which may be costly and time-consuming, to obtain information about the identity of wrongdoers.

But a new one-stop government agency called the Online Safety Commission (OSC) will be empowered to obtain identity information of a perpetrator from online platforms, similar to how law enforcement agencies are empowered to obtain such information for investigations. These include the user’s name, verified phone numbers or credit card information that can be used to make further inquiries with telcos or banks.

The perpetrator’s identity information may also be disclosed to victims to allow the latter to safeguard themselves. The OSC may impose strict conditions on how the information can be used, such as using it to pursue legal remedies or seek protection, Mr Tong said, addressing privacy concerns.

If a victim were to use the information to dox the perpetrator, that could be an offence as well, he said.

Mr Tong also responded to a proposed amendment by Workers’ Party MP He Ting Ru (Sengkang GRC) to add a right to appeal to the High Court for those dissatisfied with the decisions of the OSC. The current Bill provides for an appeal to an independent panel, whose decision is final.

Mr Tong said the Government had considered options similar to Ms He’s proposal, but decided against them as they would slow down the process.

“Each new appeal means fresh rounds of arguments, delay (and also uncertainty) in dealing with harmful content, as well as renewed anxiety for those already hurt, who quite likely will have to remain engaged throughout the appeal process,” said Mr Tong.

Platforms, administrators and some content creators can also be very well resourced, and individual victims would be dissuaded from coming forward to seek redress against them, he added.

“The OSC’s process is deliberately straightforward – fast, simple and focused on stopping harm quickly, not spending time arguing about it,” said Mr Tong.

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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