With more Singaporeans falling victim to harmful online content, the government said the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill will help them seek relief and legal redress.
The bill provides for the formation of an Online Safety Commission (OSC) with powers to address complaints against harmful content.
Its powers “include directions to take down the harmful content, restrict the perpetrator’s online account or allow the victim to post a reply”, the digital development and information ministry (MDDI) and the law ministry said in a joint statement.
“Takedown orders may be issued to those who post harmful content, online administrators, or social media platforms,” the statement said.
“Non-compliance with directions is a criminal offence,” it warned.
In such cases, the commission can issue an order to block access or remove an app “to put a stop to the online harm”.
The commission will initially cover five categories of online harms by the end of the first half of 2026, including online harassment, so-called “doxxing” – sharing another person’s personal information without permission – stalking, image-based child abuse and sharing of private photos without permission.
Other categories, including online impersonation and deepfakes, will be added gradually.
The commission is expected to begin operations by June next year.
The bill provides a legal basis for victims to hold perpetrators accountable, and online platforms can be required to provide the identity of those who post harmful content if they are anonymous.
“Digital access has become an integral part of our daily lives, but it has also given rise to serious concerns,” the joint statement said.
“Bad actors have misused the internet to harass or bully individuals and distributed harmful content like intimate image abuse, with deleterious consequences for victims and society,” it statement.
A recent survey by the MDDI found that more than 84% of respondents in Singapore encountered harmful online content, and 33% experienced harmful online behaviour in the past year.