1,803 debates and bills about digital & technology
Police cannot comment on ongoing investigations of 167 suspected scam money mules. Most mules are believed to be part of syndicates recruiting online. Measures include taking down scam accounts under the Online Criminal Harms Act, platform regulations, and public education campaigns to disrupt recruitment pipelines.
Victor Lye inquired if government digital systems recognize Family Justice Courts' sole custody orders. Mrs Josephine Teo confirmed agencies consider such orders where relevant, with implementation varying by context and digital system requirements.
The government spent $250,000 on Palantir software services over the past five years, with the procurement handled by its Singapore subsidiary.
The Bill amends the Info-communications Media Development Authority Act to enhance fair market conduct, reduce regulatory burdens, and grant IMDA additional powers, with aligned amendments to the Telecommunications Act for effective competition.
The government uses foreign AI vendors with safeguards like least-privilege data access, encryption, and governance frameworks, acknowledging that foreign laws like the U.S. CLOUD Act can override contracts, but relying on technical controls to limit data exposure and ensure citizen data security.
Singtel’s March 2026 network disruptions affected over 600,000 users due to a mechanical fault and software bug. IMDA is investigating, with no evidence of cyberattacks, and is reviewing resilience regulations, including stress-testing requirements and real-time outage communication, while noting compensation remains voluntary.
Chua Kheng Wee Louis questioned the Minister for Manpower about the types of information collected by the i-SMART facial recognition system at the NESST Tukang migrant worker dormitory and its usage by various stakeholders. Tan See Leng responded that the system collects residents' facial recognition data, timestamps for entry and exit, and body temperature readings for access management and health monitoring. The collected personal information is restricted to NESST Singapore Limited and not shared with other stakeholders, except in cases of disease outbreaks where it may be shared with relevant authorities as per legal requirements.
He Ting Ru asked about measures to enhance enforcement of the Do Not Call (DNC) Registry amid technological advancements like AI-driven calls. Josephine Teo responded that the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) actively monitors compliance and investigates complaints related to DNC violations. The number of DNC complaints has decreased since the 2021 updates, with approximately 1,700 complaints in 2024 and 1,380 in 2025; 122 and 176 of these were investigated, respectively, but none resulted in fines.
Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the digital support provided under the SG Heritage Business Scheme for heritage businesses to modernize and grow. David Neo responded that the scheme offers branding visibility, marketing tools, and grants for transformation projects, including digital innovations like Augmented Reality applications and online games. Heritage businesses can also access additional grants for adopting digital solutions and expanding their market presence. The National Heritage Board plans to develop promotional campaigns, create an online register of designated businesses, and seek industry partnerships for further support.
Valerie Lee asked the Government about measures to promote AI adoption in the energy generation sector and support for businesses and households in energy conservation. The Minister of State for Trade and Industry highlighted the launch of a regulatory sandbox for Virtual Power Plants and the use of AI for optimizing energy management and forecasting. The Government is also focusing on developing specialized skills in AI for the energy workforce and is collaborating with industry and educational institutions to meet sector demands. Additionally, the Government is studying international use cases of AI in power generation and efficiency to learn from other countries' advancements.
Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the existence of a list of mobile network dead zones within the MRT network and whether this information could be made public for accountability. The Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information confirmed that mobile network operators must meet IMDA's 4G Quality of Service standards, including 99% coverage in MRT areas, with performance results available online. Giam questioned if penalties are imposed for unrectified dead zones and whether operator performance influences future spectrum allocations. The minister responded that there have been no persistent signal gaps unaddressed in the MRT network over the past three years.
Fadli Fawzi requested information from the Acting Minister for Transport about the top 10 traffic junctions in Singapore with the highest peak hour congestion as of January 2026 and possible measures to alleviate this congestion. Jeffrey Siow explained that junctions near expressways or major arterial roads generally experience the highest traffic volumes. He mentioned that the Green Link Determining System adjusts traffic signals based on real-time conditions to improve flow, and the Land Transport Authority plans to utilize technology, including predictive AI, for better traffic management.
Yip Hon Weng asked about plans for a significant overhaul of NETS' QR system to create an open and interoperable payment experience for users. Gan Kim Yong responded that SGQR consolidates various payment schemes into one QR code, allowing merchants and consumers to choose preferred payment providers, fostering competition. He noted that making all payment schemes interoperable could reduce competition, impacting costs and services. NETS has partnered with other payment schemes to enable seamless payments for customers of 14 providers and supports cross-border transactions with seven international schemes. The Monetary Authority of Singapore will explore further improvements for consumer and merchant payment experiences.
Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the uptake of the Hawkers' Productivity Grant, the tracking of hawkers adopting automation and digital solutions, and plans to encourage technological adoption to reduce costs. Grace Fu Hai Yien reported that by the end of 2025, around 1,100 cooked food stallholders and 50 market stallholders have benefited from the grant, with two-thirds of stalls accepting e-payments. The Productive Hawker Centres programme supports automation through funding for centralised dishwashing, offering up to 70% in subsidies for existing centres, with implementation in 16 new and 10 existing hawker centres. NEA will continue to assess and enhance its programmes for stallholders.
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