Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on How the Latest Cyber Technology is Drawn Upon to Detect and Deter Foreign Interference with Domestic Politics and Social Issues, by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

Question:

Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether the Ministry can provide an update on how the latest cyber technology is drawn upon to detect and deter foreign interference with domestic politics and social issues.

Answer:

1.    Foreign actors may use bots or inauthentic accounts to launch hostile information campaigns (HICs) to manipulate viewpoints in other countries’ domestic politics.  Our security agencies have been keeping abreast of developments in cyber technology that may be exploited for such purposes. They have deployed early detection systems which can surface anomalies or patterns in network activity to alert agencies to such threats.

2.    MHA has also introduced new legislation to guard against foreign interference.