Take-up Rate of ScamShield App since Its Launch and Efforts to Encourage Elderly to Use App to Protect Themselves against Scams

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the latest take-up rate of the ScamShield app since its launch in November 2020; (b) when will the Android version be ready; and (c) what are the efforts to encourage more of our elderly to download this app and protect themselves from scams.

As of 20 August 2021, about 200,000 iOS users have downloaded ScamShield.

The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and GovTech are currently developing an Android version, which is expected to be ready by the end of this year.

We use various channels to inform our seniors about ScamShield. For example, the Police regularly share crime information, including scam prevention advice, with Residents’ Committees and grassroots volunteers, so that in turn, they can engage their residents about scams via their various outreach platforms. Senior citizens are encouraged to download ScamShield during these sessions. Volunteer Crime Prevention Ambassadors from NCPC also share about ScamShield with residents, including senior citizens, during their engagements.

We also work with partner agencies. For example, as part of the “SG Cyber Safe Seniors” programme launched in June 2021 by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, Infocomm Media Development Authority and the Singapore Police Force, the outreach collaterals and webinars included references to the Scam Alert website (www.scamalert.sg) where ScamShield is featured.