N3 2019
FOCUS: SINGAPORE
Singapore’s answer to fake news: correction and takedown orders, fines and jail by Tom Benner Singapore passed a far-reaching new law on May pliance. Singapore’s is unique as well because 8 to combat the problem of online falsehoods. any minister can issue the directive (corrective or take down) without judicial oversight. (An) Singaporean lawmakers voted to grant govern- appeal can be made after the fact but the order ment ministers broad powers such as the abili- will remain in place during appeal process,” said ty to demand corrections, order the removal of a spokesperson for the Asia Internet Coalition, content, or block websites deemed to be propa- an industry association whose members include gating falsehoods contrary to the public interest. Facebook, Google and Twitter. Penalties for not complying with orders include steep fines and jail time. Those tech giants and others have been under fire all over the world for not doing enough to While Germany has passed a law allowing for police their platforms for misinformation. Some takedown orders on social media sites, that law worry the Singapore legislation may be copied is specifically focused on hate speech. by other countries. Singapore’s law goes further, allowing government ministers to singlehandedly decide if an online post is factually incorrect and contrary to the public interest.
Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director, Human Rights Watch, said: “Singapore’s leaders have crafted a law that will have a chilling affect on internet freedom throughout Southeast Asia, and likely start a new set of information wars as Journalists, academics, and global tech compa- they try to impose their narrow version of ‘truth’ nies have grave concerns about the possible im- on the wider world.” pact on free speech and abuse of power. Penalties for not obeying a correction or take“Singapore’s law is the most broadly scoped due down order include up to 10 years’ jail time and to very broad definitions and criteria like ‘public SGD$1 million (USD $735,080) in fines. interest,’ with both a correction order and take down order and severe penalties for non-com- An individual or a web portal ordered to correct
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