Digital & technology

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked about the possibility of requiring employers to provide mandatory itemized pay slips in electronic form under the Employment Act. Tan See Leng confirmed that while itemized pay slips are currently required, they acknowledge the benefits of electronic payslips, such as improved traceability and reduced likelihood of being misplaced. The Ministry will further study this proposal while considering the concerns of small businesses and employees who may have limited access to electronic documents.

Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about the government's tightening regulations on digital payment token service providers, specifically regarding the prohibition of credit card payments for cryptocurrencies, and its impact on young consumers. Alvin Tan responded that cryptocurrencies are highly volatile and risky, leading to the prohibition of credit or leverage for their purchase to protect consumers. He emphasized the importance of consumer education on the dangers of cryptocurrencies and noted that outright bans might drive consumers to unregulated platforms. The focus is on fostering a responsible digital asset ecosystem while discouraging speculative trading among retail consumers.

Mariam Jaafar raised a question regarding measures to ensure that broadband service providers do not create areas of poor connectivity in otherwise fully connected regions. Josephine Teo responded that Mobile Network Operators have achieved over 99% outdoor mobile coverage for 4G and over 95% for 5G. The operators must also comply with a Quality of Service standard ensuring over 85% coverage in buildings and nearly complete coverage outdoors and on roads. The Infocomm Media Development Authority monitors service performance and mandates improvements if any deficiencies are identified.

Yip Hon Weng asked about the effects of prolonged exposure to harmful content on children's well-being and measures to ensure timely removal of such content by social media platforms. Josephine Teo stated the government's commitment to protecting vulnerable users, particularly children, through the Infocomm Media Development Authority's Code of Practice for Online Safety, which mandates safety measures for social media services. Recent assessments revealed shortcomings in user safety measures among six Designated Social Media Services, with some failing to effectively remove age-inappropriate content even after reports. The IMDA is engaging these platforms to improve safety measures and is researching the use of age assurance technology to protect children from unsuitable content. The Ministry currently lacks authoritative findings on the impact of prolonged exposure to harmful content.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim moved to reduce the budget for the Ministry of Law, highlighting Singapore's status as a leading international dispute resolution hub and the growing demand for updates in the legal sector. Various members raised concerns regarding online harms, enforcement of court judgments, and accessibility of justice for vulnerable populations in light of rising cyberbullying incidents and the challenges of navigating the legal system. The Minister for Law outlined plans for enhancing legal processes, including the establishment of a new agency to address online harms and legislative reforms to improve enforcement effectiveness, as well as initiatives to support legal professionals and improve public awareness of legal rights. There was also discussion about the need for ongoing education and adaptation in the legal profession amid advancements in technology, particularly related to intellectual property and online safety.

The debate addressed several key areas concerning the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), including ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and combat scams, as well as initiatives for rehabilitating drug abusers and ex-offenders. The Home Team is leveraging technology and artificial intelligence to enhance operational effectiveness, particularly in detecting and preventing crimes, including scams which saw significant financial losses in 2024. MHA emphasized the importance of community involvement and public trust in maintaining safety and security, while outlining the challenges posed by technology and declining manpower. The session concluded with an emphasis on educational and rehabilitative efforts related to drug abuse and social reintegration for offenders.

• Gerald Giam raised concerns about potential restrictions on the use of DeepSeek by public officers, referencing similar bans in other countries and seeking clarification on Singapore's approach.
• The Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information stated that the Government has policies to evaluate the suitability of technologies, including AI, for public sector use based on performance, security, and resilience.
• Giam requested more direct information regarding DeepSeek and inquired about the nature of the Government's AI tool, Pair, specifically whether it uses local models or connects to foreign commercial platforms.
• The Senior Minister acknowledged that Pair accesses various large language models but refrained from commenting on specific commercial products, suggesting that companies assess products based on their merits and compliance with laws.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked if the Ministry of Manpower would consider collaborating with other agencies to provide SingPass account reset services at migrant workers' recreation centres. Tan See Leng responded that migrant workers can currently reset their accounts in person at designated counters or online. The Ministry has also created guides in native languages to assist with the process, available on its website and in dormitories. Additionally, MOM will monitor demand and explore further assistance options for migrant workers if needed.

Leong Mun Wai asked about the number of reports of online falsehoods received by the POFMA Office through its online reporting form and the resulting Correction Directions. Josephine Teo reported that since the form's introduction in 2021, the POFMA Office received 1,276 public feedback submissions about potential falsehoods by January 31, 2025. Out of these reports, nine Correction Directions were issued based on 37 specific pieces of feedback.

Tan Wu Meng questioned the regulation of "pay later" contracts by telecommunications companies and inquired about customer feedback regarding heavy penalties imposed on defaults. Josephine Teo explained that these plans are common and regulated by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), which requires consumer acknowledgment of terms and conditions before agreements are made. IMDA received 14 feedback cases over the last two years related to these schemes, all of which have been resolved with the assistance of telcos.

Tan Wu Meng questioned the Minister for Education about reports of school bus attendants being required to use mobile apps for their duties without reimbursement for mobile phone costs or data usage. Shawn Huang Wei Zhong responded that the Ministry of Education has not mandated any school bus attendant to use mobile applications but offered a voluntary trial of a web-based attendance app to school bus drivers and attendants. The Ministry acknowledges that operators may have their preferred attendance methods and considerations regarding mobile phone costs.

• Mr. Gerald Giam raised concerns about the proportion of ICA services that are digital-only and the challenges faced by individuals lacking digital literacy or access to necessary tools.
• He inquired about the number of people who sought assistance from ICA due to difficulties with the digital application process and whether there is a structured support system in place.
• Minister K Shanmugam responded that approximately 95% of ICA applications are submitted online, and assistance is available at the ICA Services Centre for those needing help.
• The ICA does not keep track of the number of individuals seeking help with online applications.

• The Minister for Manpower reported that around 80% of deceased CPF members in 2024 had made nominations, with 86% of members aged 65 and above having done so, compared to only 36% of those aged 16 to 64.
• The majority of younger members (44 years old and below) have not made nominations, while there are no significant racial differences in nomination rates.
• The CPF Board promotes nominations through outreach efforts targeting various demographics, including the elderly and young adults, using campaigns, roadshows, and personalized notifications.
• The CPF Board has improved convenience for making nominations with a secure online service and assistance available at service centers for those less digitally savvy.
• Overall, the CPF Board's initiatives have led to an increase in the number of members making nominations.

• Ms. Ng Ling Ling inquired about the annual operating costs for maintaining healthcare apps over the past three years, specifically HealthHub, Health Buddy, NHG Cares, and NUHS App.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that HealthHub, the national health app, has an annual operating cost of approximately $18 million, which includes shared infrastructure costs.
• The combined annual operating costs for the three cluster-specific apps (Health Buddy, NHG Cares, and NUHS App) amount to about $3.6 million, representing a 20% increase over the costs of HealthHub alone.

• Mr. Mohd Fahmi Aliman raised concerns about unauthorized changes to residential addresses, asking for statistics, preventive measures, and updates on investigations and prosecutions related to these incidents.
• The Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, indicated that the questions would be addressed in a combined reply to be provided on a later date, specifically referencing a previous official report.
• The debate highlights ongoing issues with cybercrime and the security of Singpass accounts, emphasizing the need for effective measures to prevent misuse.

• Gerald Giam Yean Song requested the establishment of a ServiceSG Centre in Serangoon Town Centre to provide in-person assistance for e-Government services, noting the distance to the nearest centres.
• Chan Chun Sing, representing the Prime Minister, stated that the Public Service aims to make government services accessible and is expanding the ServiceSG Centre network, which currently includes nine centres.
• There are no immediate plans to open a ServiceSG Centre in Serangoon, as future expansions will depend on local needs, integration opportunities, resource availability, and suitable site locations.

• The Ministry of Defence regularly surveys Singaporeans' awareness and support for Total Defence, with a recent survey indicating about 90% willingness to participate.
• Digital Defence, introduced as the sixth pillar of Total Defence in 2019, focuses on protecting against online threats like disinformation and scams.
• Initiatives such as the National Cybersecurity Campaign and workshops aim to educate various population segments on cybersecurity and resilience against cyberattacks.
• The Critical Infrastructure Defence Exercise (CIDeX) is conducted annually to enhance the cyber readiness of Singapore's Critical Information Infrastructure systems.
• MINDEF emphasizes the importance of raising digital literacy and good cybersecurity habits among Singaporeans to create a safer digital environment.

• Mr. Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about the effectiveness of age verification measures for app stores, particularly regarding children accessing inappropriate apps through parents' accounts.
• The Minister of State for Digital Development and Information outlined the upcoming Code of Practice for Online Safety, effective March 2025, which mandates age assurance measures for app stores to protect young users.
• The Code allows app stores to choose their own methods for age verification, including facial estimation technology, but does not enforce specific technologies.
• The government emphasizes the importance of parental education in online safety, launching initiatives to equip parents with resources to manage their children's digital experiences.
• Ongoing collaboration with the industry is planned to ensure effective implementation of age assurance requirements and enhance online safety in Singapore.

• Mr. Gan Thiam Poh raised a question about increasing training opportunities in artificial intelligence for Singaporean PMETs to enhance their skills and competitiveness.
• The Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, Mr. Tan Kiat How, referenced previous parliamentary discussions on the government's training initiatives for workers in AI.
• The government plans to provide updates on its training efforts in AI during the upcoming MDDI Committee of Supply debate.