Update on Use of SGSecure App to Make Reports and Actions Taken against Makers of Prank Reports

Mr Raj Joshua Thomas asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) to date, what is the number of (i) persons who have downloaded the SGSecure app (ii) reports made through the app and (iii) prank reports made through the app; and (b) whether any action has been taken against persons who have made prank reports.

The SGSecure app was launched in 2016 and about three million devices have been equipped or downloaded with the SGSecure app since.

The number of reports made through the app have been increasing steadily, from 6,000 reports in 2017 to 14,000 reports last year. These include reports alerting the authorities to sightings of suspicious individuals or behaviour, individuals suspected to be armed with weapons, unattended or suspicious bags and packages, as well as individuals showing signs of radicalisation or religious extremism.

We do not track prank reports, most of which were sent anonymously. Nonetheless, our assessment is that the number is quite low. To date, three persons have been warned for intentionally sending false information via the SGSecure app.