Issuance of Account Restriction Directions Under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act 2021 Against 95 Social Media Accounts Linked to a Foreign Network

1. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued Account Restriction Directions (“ARDs”) under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act 2021 (“FICA”) to five social media platforms i.e. X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, requiring them to block 95 online accounts on their platforms (refer to

Annex A

) from being accessible to Singapore end-users.

2. Between 17 April and 10 May 2024, a network of 92 social media accounts across the five social media platforms published over 120 posts containing videos on Singapore’s leadership transition. These posts were published in a coordinated manner and contained narratives which alleged that Singapore is in the pocket of a foreign actor, and that the foreign actor was behind the scenes in the selection of Singapore’s fourth generation leader.

3. Our investigations have found that these 92 accounts are part of a network linked to a foreigner, Guo Wengui (“GWG”), and his affiliated organisations, the New Federal State of China ¹ and the Himalaya Supervisory Organisation (“HSO”) ² . The remaining three (of the 95) accounts belong to a Singapore chapter (“Himalaya Singapore”) under HSO.

4. We had also noted that according to a study by Graphika in 2021, GWG is at the centre of a vast network of interrelated media entities and social media accounts that disseminate disinformation across multiple platforms. ³

5. GWG’s network was also observed to have posted a variety of other Singapore-related narratives. The network’s coordinated actions and precedent of using Singapore to push its agenda have demonstrated its willingness and capability to spread false narratives that are detrimental to Singapore’s interests. The timing of the coordinated posts, which coincided with the period of Singapore’s political leadership transition, is indicative of deliberate planning and actions.

6. There are grounds, therefore, to believe that GWG’s network can and may potentially harness the 95 accounts to mount hostile information campaigns (“HICs”) which are targeted directly at Singapore. HICs can undermine sovereignty and social cohesion. As seen in overseas incidents, they have the potential to reduce confidence in democratic processes, sow discord in communities, and undermine trust in governments and public institutions.

7. The Minister for Home Affairs is of the opinion that the conditions under section 21(1) of FICA are satisfied, and has authorised the issuance of ARDs to the five social media platforms. The ARDs will require the social media platforms to take all reasonable steps to terminate any functionality of their services that enables interactions between the specified accounts and end-users physically present in Singapore.

8. We urge Singaporeans to be discerning when consuming and disseminating information online. We should always fact-check the information to see if it is accurate and authentic, against a credible source.

[1] The New Federal State of China (NFSC) is a right-wing political and lobby group created by Guo Wengui and Steve Bannon.

[2] The Himalayan Supervisory Organisation is an NGO started by Guo and Bannon in support of NFSC.

[3] Graphika provides in-depth analyses of social media landscapes, which have served purposes, amongst others, of electoral integrity and disinformation detection.

Annex

1.

Annex A - List of Accounts to be Blocked

(PDF, 250 KB)