Singapore has tabled the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill, which creates a one-stop Online Safety Commission (OSC) to give victims of online harms fast takedowns and redress. Expected to be operational by June 2026 under a commissioner appointed by the Minister for Digital Development and Information, the OSC can direct content communicators, administrators, platforms, ISPs and app stores to remove harmful content, restrict offender accounts, or allow a victim’s right of reply.
Initially, the OSC will focus on online harassment, doxing, online stalking, intimate-image abuse and image-based child abuse, before progressively covering eight other harms (including impersonation, deepfake/inauthentic material abuse, incitement of violence/enmity, and false or reputationally harmful statements). Help is available to Singapore citizens/PRs and others with a prescribed local connection.
Penalties for non-compliance with OSC directions are stiff: up to $20,000 and/or 12 months’ jail for individuals (plus daily fines after conviction) and up to $500,000 for entities (with higher daily continuing fines). ISPs and app stores that defy access-blocking or app-removal orders face fines of up to $250,000 and $500,000 respectively, with additional daily penalties.
The Bill also creates a civil cause of action against communicators, administrators, and platforms that fail in their duties—courts may award damages and injunctions. Platforms can be required to disclose suspected offenders’ identities, especially those with larger reach, which must collect additional identity information. Appeals lie to an independent panel.
The proposals follow a five-year process involving a multi-agency steering committee and a 2024 public consultation with broad support. Advocates note the OSC is not a general Internet police—in-app reporting remains the first resort—while the new framework aims to pierce anonymity and deliver quicker protection for victims.
