Digital & technology

• David Hoe proposed the development of an age-progressive framework for the responsible use of generative AI in education, including guidance for parents.
• Desmond Lee responded that the Ministry of Education has already addressed AI use in schools and provided guidance on age-appropriate use in their existing resources.
• The Ministry has also created resources for parents to help them support their children's learning with generative AI tools at home.

• Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat proposed expanding SkillsFuture Credit eligibility to include subscriptions for high-quality AI productivity tools to enhance hands-on learning.
• Desmond Lee responded that SkillsFuture Credit currently covers AI-related courses, which may include access to premium AI tools relevant to the training.
• The Ministry of Education is committed to monitoring the evolving AI landscape and supporting workers and enterprises in effectively utilizing AI.

• Sylvia Lim raised concerns about the need for banks to ease anti-scam measures in specific "whitelist" situations to reduce transaction friction for account holders.
• The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has implemented safeguards to protect consumers from scams, including delaying transfers from accounts with large balances being rapidly drained.
• Certain transactions, such as recurring payments and bill payments to government agencies, are exempt from these delays to facilitate legitimate transactions.
• MAS and banks are monitoring the effectiveness of these measures and are open to adjustments to balance consumer protection with transaction efficiency.
• Consumers are encouraged to plan ahead for large transfers, acknowledging that some inconvenience is necessary to combat scams.

• Mr. Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about Singapore's reliance on a few major global cloud providers and the associated national security risks.
• Mrs. Josephine Teo explained that Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) must meet strict resilience requirements and mitigate over-dependence on cloud services.
• The upcoming Digital Infrastructure Act will enhance regulations for cloud service providers, mandating security measures, disaster recovery planning, and adherence to international standards.
• CII operators are already required to conduct audits and exercises to identify vulnerabilities and ensure resilience.
• Businesses are encouraged to prepare for potential disruptions by diversifying service providers and implementing business continuity plans.

• The debate focused on the government's approach to sharing classified threat intelligence with critical sector organizations and the measures in place to safeguard sensitive information.
• The Minister for Digital Development and Information highlighted the increasing global threat of cyber attacks and the importance of protecting Singapore's critical information infrastructure (CII).
• The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) is responsible for setting higher cybersecurity standards for CII owners and will provide tools and capabilities to help them address advanced cyber threats.
• CII owners must comply with the Official Secrets Act and are ultimately accountable for their cybersecurity outcomes, while the government will support them in their defense efforts.
• The government is also investing in building a strong cybersecurity workforce, with a significant increase in the number of professionals in the field over the past eight years.

• Ms. Poh Li San inquired about the Ministry's engagement with international counterparts regarding Google's age assurance measures and the potential implementation of similar measures by other online platforms.
• Mrs. Josephine Teo confirmed that the Ministry of Digital Development and Information has been actively collaborating with international entities, including the USA, UK, and EU, to share best practices for age assurance policies.
• The Ministry has set a deadline of March 31, 2026, for app distribution services, including major app stores, to implement age assurance measures as part of the Code of Practice for Online Safety.
• The Ministry plans to engage designated social media services later this year to discuss similar age assurance requirements.

• Melvin Yong raised concerns about regulatory safeguards for consumers using e-commerce platforms for C2C transactions, noting poor safety ratings for some platforms.
• K Shanmugam highlighted that Carousell and Facebook Marketplace have poor Transaction Safety Ratings but are required to comply with the E-Commerce Code of the Online Criminal Harms Act for user protection.
• Enhanced user verification measures were implemented in 2024, resulting in a significant decrease in e-commerce scams on both platforms.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs is collaborating with Meta and Carousell to develop additional anti-scam measures and will take legal action if necessary.
• Consumers are advised to remain vigilant when using e-commerce platforms, especially those with low safety ratings.

• The Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill aims to enhance penalties for scams, including introducing mandatory caning for scammers and scam syndicate members, while recalibrating caning for other offences.
• The Bill addresses the misuse of technology in crimes, particularly focusing on the circulation of obscene materials and the production of AI-generated intimate images, with increased penalties for such offences.
• Amendments are made to better protect minors and vulnerable victims, including extending penalties for sexual grooming and fatal abuse of vulnerable persons, with life imprisonment introduced for severe cases.
• The Bill strengthens protections for public servants against doxxing and harassment, removing the requirement for victims to prove distress and introducing new offences for false statements about public servants.
• The debate highlighted the need for effective enforcement and cross-border cooperation to combat scams, as many perpetrators operate from overseas, and emphasized the importance of public education to prevent scams.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik raised concerns regarding measures to combat online hate speech and xenophobic abuse directed at new citizens. Mrs. Josephine Teo stated that such hate speech is addressed similarly to that targeting citizens born in Singapore, under existing laws like the Broadcasting Act, which permits the Infocomm Media Development Authority to take down harmful content. The Penal Code and Online Criminal Harms Act also provide frameworks to penalize and restrict access to online hate speech that undermines racial harmony. Additionally, the government plans to introduce the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill to establish a new Online Safety Commission by 2026, aimed at supporting victims of online harms.

Yip Hon Weng requested information from the Prime Minister about the monitoring of the ratio of manned bank counters available to senior residents in Singapore and whether a minimum ratio could be mandated for banks. Gan Kim Yong responded that while the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) does not track the number of manned counters, it does monitor bank branches and emphasizes the need for them to support seniors adequately. Banks consider local demographics when planning their operations and provide priority assistance for seniors, along with community partnerships for digital literacy programs. Additionally, banks deploy Digital Ambassadors at branches to assist seniors with banking needs.

Vikram Nair raised questions regarding the proportion of money mules arrested who are unwitting accomplices, recruitment methods used by criminal syndicates, and further measures to combat these issues. K Shanmugam explained that scammers recruit mules through online messaging and social media, offering payment for providing bank accounts and personal credentials. The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken a strong stance against mules, investigating over 3,500 cases in 2025, with over 500 charges filed. A new facility restriction framework has been implemented to limit scam mules' access to financial and telecommunications services while allowing them basic banking access, and individuals can appeal their restrictions if believed to be wrongful.

David Hoe raised several questions regarding the CDC vouchers, including the consideration of physical voucher uptake rates before discontinuing notification letters for the May 2025 tranche, redemption rates by age and channel, and the possibility of opt-in paper-vouchers for future tranches. Edwin Tong responded that the stop of notification letters was a result of consistent high claim rates (averaging 97%) and environmental considerations. He emphasized that public awareness efforts would continue through various media channels, and support would be available for those needing help with the digital process. Tong also noted that the high claim rate for the May 2025 tranche indicates familiarity with the process, and reiterated that unused vouchers can be donated to charities.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye questioned the Minister for Digital Development and Information about complaints from Sentosa residents regarding poor mobile network connectivity over the past five years. Mrs. Josephine Teo stated that there were four complaints received, concerning two condominiums in Sentosa. Mobile network operators have resolved connectivity issues for one condominium and are working on enhancing coverage for the other.

Saktiandi Supaat raised concerns about holding social media platforms accountable for impersonation scams targeting government officials in Singapore and suggested the need for transparency in reporting such incidents. K Shanmugam confirmed that Facebook is the primary platform used for these scams and outlined measures taken by the Singapore Police Force, which includes directives to Meta for better protection against impersonation. The government will collaborate with Meta to enhance protections for both government officials and other public figures. Additional requirements may be imposed on other online platforms based on the evolving scam landscape.

Rachel Ong raised concerns about the risks of generative AI models to the mental health and safety of children and youths in Singapore, inquiring about current and potential safeguarding measures. Josephine Teo responded that the government is assessing the impact of generative AI on young people and has established age assurance measures set to be implemented by March 2026 to limit underage access to inappropriate apps. Existing frameworks like the Model AI Governance Framework also guide responsible AI use in the context of online safety for youths. Additionally, education initiatives, such as Cyber Wellness and Mental Health lessons in schools, aim to promote safe and responsible technology use among students. The government continues to collaborate with stakeholders to enhance online safety for all Singaporeans.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik sought information on the uptake of ComLink+ support among lower-income families not residing in public rental flats. Masagos Zulkifli B M M reported that as of September 2025, approximately 1,000 families not living in public rental flats are receiving ComLink+ support. The Ministry aims to extend support to about 2,000 additional families over the next two years.

Saktiandi Supaat raised questions regarding public education on stablecoins, their impact on monetary policy and currency stability, and any government evaluations of these factors. Gan Kim Yong responded that MoneySense is already providing educational resources about the risks associated with crypto-assets, including stablecoins, and highlighted that financial institutions cannot promote these products to the public. The Monetary Authority of Singapore is creating a regulatory framework to distinguish between regulated and unregulated stablecoins, emphasizing that while well-regulated stablecoins can enhance payment efficiency, consumers should be cautious as they are not as safe as bank deposits. The assessment is that the adoption of SGD stablecoins will not significantly impact monetary stability or policy, and MAS will continue monitoring the situation and advise the public to exercise caution with crypto-assets.

Wan Rizal asked about the activation triggers and response timelines for police actions when minors are reported missing or at risk of self-harm, the use of technology for safety while ensuring privacy, and the coverage of training for frontline officers in trauma-informed care and suicide intervention. K Shanmugam responded that the police aim to reach vulnerable persons within 15 minutes of a report and may involve other agencies for assistance. Technology, such as reviewing CCTV footage and using drones, may be employed to aid searches, and public appeals for information can be made with family consent. Frontline officers receive training in trauma-informed interactions to effectively support those in distress.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised questions about the suitability of the multi-stage process for the Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) regarding low-cost digital aids like AirTags, suggesting a need for a simplified fast-track process and questioning if low subsidy uptake indicates issues with the current system. Masagos Zulkifli B M M explained that the ATF provides means-tested subsidies for assistive devices to aid persons with disabilities, with a structured application process involving healthcare professionals. Although there have been no applications for tracking devices, a simplified process exists for basic devices. The assessment criteria focus on whether devices support early intervention, education, employment, therapy, rehabilitation, or independent living.

The Electronic Conveyancing and Other Matters Bill aims to digitize property transactions and Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) processes, modernizing the current manual systems. The Bill introduces the Digital Conveyancing Portal (DCP), designed to streamline property transactions by facilitating electronic contracts, secure digital signatures, and remote witnessing. There are safeguards in place to address concerns about fraud, including criteria for remote witnessing, where donors must be under 75 and appoint donees likely to act in their best interests. Stakeholders raised issues regarding digital inclusion, cybersecurity, and the need for training to ensure smooth adoption of the DCP, emphasizing that technology must enhance access without disadvantaging less tech-savvy segments of the population. Overall, the Bill represents a significant step towards integrating technology into Singapore's legal and property systems while maintaining robust checks and balances.