Singapore eyes sweeping powers to police online content, apps

The Online Criminal Harms Bill, introduced for a first reading in parliament on May 8, is aimed at cracking down on illicit activities like scams, misinformation, cybercrime drug trafficking and the spread of exploitative images. — AFP

Singapore’s government is taking the first steps toward codifying a new Internet safety law that would grant it wide-ranging powers over content, access and communication online.

The Online Criminal Harms Bill, introduced for a first reading in parliament on May 8, is aimed at cracking down on illicit activities like scams, misinformation, cybercrime drug trafficking and the spread of exploitative images. It is part of a wider “suite of legislation” to protect Singaporeans online, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.