Singapore (CU)_ The government can now direct social media companies and Internet service providers to examine attempts made by foreign agencies to influence Singapore’s internal politics. In an effort to instigate social tensions and weaken Singapore’s sovereignty, these hostile efforts might involve the use of fake accounts and bots to create a false impression of substantial public support or opposition to particular beliefs.
According to the latest statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), provisions to fight hostile information campaigns (HICs), explained in the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act or Fica, will come into force from July 7. Fica was authorized by Parliament in October 2021. The legislation incorporates provisions designed to resist foreign intervention through local proxies or political persons or organizations, such as ministries and elected members of parliament. MHA stated that the provisions will become effective later.
In a statement emphasizing the necessity for Fica, it was underlined that the Internet and social media have increased the likelihood and severity of foreign intervention. The statement said, “These platforms have contributed to the increasing ease, sophistication and impunity with which hostile foreign actors are able to carry out HICs”. The ministry indicated that when Singapore confronted bilateral challenges with another nation in 2018, there was an anomalous increase in critical social media remarks.
MHA stated that these posts from anonymous accounts aimed to create a false image of hostility to the Republic’s position. Between 2016 and 2017, Singapore suffered a coordinated HIC that aimed to weaken its foreign policy posture during a moment of conflict with another nation. MHA stated that social media accounts that had been inactive for years published these online commentaries and videos. It stated, “These contents were also widely circulated via chat apps and aimed at influencing sentiments among Singaporeans.”
