Singapore: Implemented Online Criminal Harms Act

On 1 February 2024, Parts 1, 2, 3, and 6 to 10, sections 50 and 52 to 60, and the First Schedule of the Online Criminal Harms Act entered into force. The Act allows the Government to issue five types of directions to any online service through which criminal activities could be conducted. These include the “stop communication direction” requiring the removal, cessation of posting or transmitting, and disabling of access to online criminal content. The “disabling direction” requires online service providers to disable specified content on their service from the view of people in Singapore, which may include identical copies of the content. Additionally, the “access blocking direction” requires internet service providers to block access to designated materials or locations, such as websites, for individuals in Singapore. The “account restriction direction” requires online service providers to stop an account on their service from communicating in Singapore or interacting with people in Singapore. Lastly, the “app removal direction” requires app stores to remove an app from its Singapore storefront to stop further downloads of the app. In addition, the Act allows Government directions to be issued when it is suspected that any website, online account, or online activity may be used for scams or malicious cyber activities. The provisions which give the Police Force the power to issue codes of practice for designated online service providers will come into force on the day established by the Minister.