Singapore: Adopted Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act including content moderation authority governance

On 8 May 2019, the Parliament of Singapore adopted the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill (POFMA). The Bill makes it an offence for a person to communicate a false statement of fact if they know or have reason to believe the statement is false. The Bill establishes within the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act Office (POFMA Office) to enforce the Bill's obligations. Under POFMA, the government can issue several types of directions to control the dissemination of false information, including correction direction, which mandates that individuals who have spread false statements must communicate a correction notice, clarifying the falsehood and providing accurate information. This notice must be prominently displayed in online locations or printed publications as specified. Another power is the stop communication direction, which requires individuals to cease the dissemination of false statements by a specified deadline and may also include the obligation to issue a correction notice. Additionally, the government can enforce an access blocking order, compelling internet service providers to block access to websites that refuse to comply with correction or stop communication directions. The Bill will come into force on the day established by the Minister.