Issuance of directions under the Online Criminal Harms Act against online entities disseminating terrorism-related content

The Singapore Police Force (“SPF”) has issued Disabling Directions (“DD”) against one online service provider and two Access Blocking Directions (“ABD”) to Internet Service Providers to deal with terrorism-related content accessible by persons in Singapore. The DD requires the provider of the relevant online service to take all reasonable steps to disable access by Singapore users to the relevant online videos, while the ABD requires Internet Service Providers to block access by Singapore persons to the relevant offending websites.

The offending videos and websites contain terrorism content, including material that advocates for ISIS, mass shooters and violence. The content also honours and glorifies extremists, and calls for supporters to join their cause. Investigations have established a direct nexus between the content and past self-radicalisation cases in Singapore, where youths became radicalised after consuming content from these sites or obtained information from these sites to plot their attacks.

The Government takes a serious view of online content that incites violence or promotes terrorism. The rise in self-radicalisation cases in Singapore, particularly among youth, is a matter of deep concern. Online platforms must not be allowed to serve as vectors for the spread of terrorist ideology to persons in Singapore, and the Government will not hesitate to act against entities that seek to do so. MHA is also working with the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Education to safeguard Singaporeans, especially children, from harmful online content.

Tackling the threat of online harmful content requires a whole-of-society effort. We urge members of the public, especially parents and educators, to remain vigilant against youths’ exposure to harmful content online, and to have open conversations with young persons about the dangers of online radicalisation. Members of the public who encounter content that glorifies or incites violence online are encouraged to report it using the in-app function of the online platform, or to report it to the Internal Security Department (ISD) at 1800-2626-473 (1800-2626-ISD) or isd@mha.gov.sg. You should also report to ISD if you suspect that there is a threat against Singapore, or that someone you know may have been radicalised or is displaying suspicious behavior.