Today-June 20
In a bid to protect users from harmful online content, the Government is proposing two codes of practices for social media services, including being able to direct such companies to disable access to specific content. The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) said at a press conference on Monday (June 20) that the first proposal is for social media services with a large reach or high risk to have “system-wide processes” to enhance safety for all users. This would include having in place community standards and content moderation mechanisms to mitigate users’ exposure to sexual, violent and self-harm content. The second proposal is for the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to be able to direct social media services to disable access to “specified content” for Singapore users or disallow specific online accounts on social media services to interact with or communicate content to Singapore users. This may cover content relating to sexual harms, self-harm, public health, public security, and racial or religious disharmony or intolerance. MCI said that these proposals will only cover social media services — platforms that allow posting of online content with the primary purposes of online interaction and linking — and will exclude messenger applications.
Industry consultations for the proposals started this month and there will be public consultations on the proposal next month. The Internet Code of Practice sets out standards for internet content and makes it compulsory for internet service providers and internet content providers to deny access to any content prohibited by the authorities. Read more at: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/govt-proposes-disabling-social-media-access-harmful-content-part-new-codes-practices-online-safety-1928596
