Singapore: Terminated MCI order designating The Online Citizen Asia’s website and social media pages as declared online locations under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act

On 21 July 2025, the Singapore Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI)’s order declaring The Online Citizen Asia’s (TOCA) website, Facebook page, Twitter account page, and LinkedIn page as "declared online locations" (DOLs) under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act 2019 (POFMA) ceased to have effect. This declaration had been made due to multiple falsehoods communicated on these platforms. The declaration was in effect for two years, until 21 July 2025. During this period, TOCA’s online locations had to display a notice warning visitors about their history of spreading misinformation. While these platforms could continue to operate, they were prohibited from generating financial benefits from their activities. Various restrictions were placed on advertising and financial support. Service providers and digital advertising intermediaries had to take reasonable steps to ensure that paid content on these DOLs was not communicated in Singapore. Additionally, individuals and companies were prohibited from providing financial support to these DOLs if it could facilitate the spread of falsehoods. Members of the public were advised to be alert to TOCA’s history of communicating misinformation and to fact-check information published on these platforms.