Digital & technology — Topics

7 Jan 2025

Measures to Protect Public from Fraud and Guide Businesses on Collection of NRIC Numbers Given New NRIC Advisory

Ms. See Jinli Jean raised concerns about the government's new policy on NRIC numbers, specifically regarding fraud protection for the public and guidance for businesses.
She inquired about measures to assist less savvy individuals in avoiding fraud and how businesses should adapt to the new policy in line with existing data protection guidelines.
Mrs. Josephine Teo responded that these questions would be addressed in a Ministerial Statement by the Minister for Digital Development and Information on 8 January 2025.

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7 Jan 2025

Reasons behind Government's Decision to Stop Practice of Partially Masking NRIC Numbers

Dr. Tan Wu Meng questioned the rationale behind the government's decision to stop partially masking NRIC numbers and the timing of this change.
He raised concerns about the potential risks posed by artificial intelligence and machine learning in reverse engineering NRIC data from existing personal data collections.
Mrs. Josephine Teo indicated that the question would be addressed in a Ministerial Statement during a future Parliament Sitting on January 8, 2025.

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7 Jan 2025

Improving and Measuring Effectiveness of Digital Literacy Programmes for Elderly Citizens

The debate focused on improving digital literacy among elderly citizens to reduce isolation and enhance their connectivity.
The Government supports seniors through initiatives like Age Well SG and the Silver Generation Office, which provide outreach and services tailored to their needs.
Significant progress has been made in digital literacy for seniors, with programs like the Mobile Access for Seniors scheme and the Seniors Go Digital initiative, benefiting over 340,000 seniors.
A recent survey indicated that 96% of seniors are now communicating online, reflecting a notable increase in digital engagement since 2017.
The Government plans to continue enhancing digital literacy efforts to ensure seniors can age actively and maintain social connections.

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7 Jan 2025

Option to Opt Out of Sharing Patient Health Data with National Electronic Health Record

Mr. Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about the ability of outpatient clinics in private hospitals and patients to opt out of sharing health records with the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR).
Minister Ong Ye Kung clarified that NEHR information is strictly for clinical care and is only accessible by healthcare professionals involved in a patient's care, with no access for insurance companies or employers.
The upcoming Health Information Bill will require all licensed healthcare providers, including private institutions, to contribute patient health records to the NEHR to ensure continuity of care and reduce unnecessary tests.
Patients will not be able to opt out of contributing their records to the NEHR, but the Bill will include provisions for patients to have some control over how their medical information is shared with healthcare providers.

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7 Jan 2025

Storage Capacity and Cost of Video and Audio Files Recorded by Police Body-worn and Other Cameras

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired about the storage capacity and costs associated with data from police body-worn and other cameras, including additional requirements for recorded video interviews.
Minister K Shanmugam responded that specific details on storage capacity cannot be disclosed for operational security reasons.
The Minister suggested that overall project costs for body-worn and other police cameras can be found in the Budget Book.

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7 Jan 2025

Use of Police Body-worn Camera Footage as Video Recording of Interviews in Non-capital Cases and Preserving Chain of Evidence for Such Footage

The debate focused on the potential use of police body-worn camera footage as video recordings of interviews (VRIs) in non-capital cases involving vulnerable suspects.
Concerns were raised about the preservation of the chain of evidence for such footage and the risk of allegations regarding tampering or editing, especially with advancements in technology like deepfakes.
The Minister for Home Affairs emphasized that VRIs are conducted in controlled environments to ensure high-quality audio and visual recordings, which are crucial for court assessments.
Procedures are in place to secure and seal VRI footage immediately after interviews, with duplicate copies made for investigations and court proceedings, ensuring integrity and reliability.
The Ministry concluded that body-worn camera footage lacks the same reliability as VRIs conducted in controlled settings, but this assessment will be reviewed regularly.

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7 Jan 2025

Types of Data Displayed under Fee-based Access in Bizfile+ Portal and Efforts to Balance Privacy Concerns with Corporate Transparency

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim raised concerns about the potential extension of fee-based access to more personal data on the Bizfile+ portal and sought clarification on what data might be included.
He inquired whether the public would be informed in advance about any changes to the fee-based access policy.
Lim emphasized the need to balance individuals' privacy concerns with the demand for corporate transparency.
Indranee Rajah indicated that these questions would be addressed in a Ministerial Statement by the Second Minister for Finance on 8 January 2025.

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7 Jan 2025

Reaching Out to Persons Whose Unmasked NRIC Numbers were Obtained from Bizfile Portal

Ms. Hany Soh raised a question regarding whether ACRA will contact individuals whose unmasked NRIC numbers were accessed from the Bizfile portal to address their concerns.
Indranee Rajah responded that the question will be addressed in a Ministerial Statement by the Second Minister for Finance on 8 January 2025.

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7 Jan 2025

Number of Persons Affected by Bizfile Portal's Unmasking of NRIC Numbers

Mr. Chua Kheng Wee Louis raised concerns about the Bizfile portal's unmasking of NRIC numbers, questioning the availability of these numbers for non-office holders and business owners.
He inquired about the duration the Bizfile portal was operational before the search function was disabled and the number of individuals affected by the disclosure of their NRIC numbers.
Chua also asked if those individuals would be notified regarding the disclosure of their information.
Indranee Rajah responded that these questions would be addressed in a Ministerial Statement by the Second Minister for Finance on 8 January 2025.

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7 Jan 2025

Review of Bizfile Portal's Unmasking of NRIC Numbers Incident Including Time Taken for Decision to Disable Function

Mr. Xie Yao Quan raised concerns about the review of the Bizfile portal incident, specifically regarding the decision-making time to disable the NRIC search function.
He inquired whether the review would assess how the decision time could have been shortened and if the findings would be made public.
Indranee Rajah confirmed that the issue would be addressed in a Ministerial Statement by the Second Minister for Finance on 8 January 2025.

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7 Jan 2025

Number of NRIC Numbers Exposed in Bizfile Portal's Unmasking of NRIC Number Incident

Mr. Xie Yao Quan inquired about the number of unmasked NRIC numbers exposed on ACRA's Bizfile and whether the Ministry would communicate with affected individuals for their protection.
Indranee Rajah stated that the question would be addressed in a Ministerial Statement by the Second Minister for Finance on 8 January 2025.

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7 Jan 2025

Number of Online Searches Performed when Full NRIC Numbers were Accessible on Bizfile Portal

Dr. Tan Wu Meng inquired about the number of online searches performed on the Bizfile portal when full NRIC numbers were accessible, specifically asking for data on searches by NRIC and their geographic origins.
Indranee Rajah responded that the question would be addressed in a Ministerial Statement by the Second Minister for Finance during a future Parliament Sitting on January 8, 2025.

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7 Jan 2025

Non-digital Applications for Singapore Citizenship, Permanent Residence or Long-Term Visit Pass

Denise Phua Lay Peng raised concerns about non-digital access to applications for Singapore Citizenship, Permanent Residence, or Long-Term Visit Pass for those who are illiterate or lack digital skills.
K Shanmugam responded that online submission is the default method for these applications, but assistance is available at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority Services Centre for those who need help.

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7 Jan 2025

Data on Credit Card Fraud and Quantum of Losses

An average of 790 cases of credit card fraud were reported annually in Singapore from 2021 to 2023, resulting in average losses of $2.1 million per year.
Enhanced security measures, such as the 3-D Secure protocol and real-time transaction monitoring, have been implemented by banks and card schemes to protect consumers from fraud.
The Shared Responsibility Framework is deemed unsuitable for credit card fraud, as existing rules already limit cardholder liability to $100 under certain conditions.
Consumers are protected by the Association of Banks in Singapore's Code of Practice and chargeback mechanisms, allowing them to dispute unauthorized transactions.
Cardholders are encouraged to remain vigilant, monitor transactions, and promptly report any unauthorized activity to their banks.

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7 Jan 2025

Making Services and Information on Government Disbursement Schemes Website Accessible to Illiterate or Digitally-challenged Persons

Denise Phua Lay Peng raised concerns about the accessibility of the Government Disbursement Schemes website for illiterate or digitally-challenged individuals.
The website allows citizens to log in with Singpass to check eligibility and update payment instructions for various government benefits.
Notifications about disbursements are sent via SMS or hardcopy to citizens.
The government promotes a "digital-first but not digital-only" approach, offering assistance at ServiceSG centres and community clubs for those in need.

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7 Jan 2025

Electronic Gazette and Legislation Bill

The Electronic Gazette and Legislation Bill aims to grant authoritative status to the electronic Gazette and electronic versions of revised legislation, reflecting the public's reliance on digital formats.
The Bill amends the Interpretation Act to ensure that electronic Gazettes are treated as prima facie evidence and prevail over print versions in case of inconsistencies.
It also updates the Revised Editions of the Laws Act to allow electronic legislation to take precedence over print versions and removes outdated requirements for print publication.
The Bill proposes to cease using the Gazette for statutory appointments, shifting to other notification methods while still ensuring public access to such appointments through the Gazette.
Overall, the Bill modernizes the legal framework to align with digital advancements, enhancing public confidence in accessing official information.

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7 Jan 2025

Examining Australia's Move on Social Media Ban for Those Aged 16 and Below

The Singapore parliament discussed Australia's recent legislation to ban social media access for individuals under 16, with questions raised about its effectiveness and potential adoption in Singapore.
The Minister of State for Digital Development highlighted ongoing efforts in Singapore, including the Code of Practice for Online Safety, which mandates social media platforms to implement safety measures for children.
There is a focus on community involvement and public education to enhance digital literacy and online safety, with various initiatives aimed at equipping parents and children.
The government is assessing compliance reports from social media companies to ensure they meet safety standards and is open to reviewing investment requirements for these platforms.
The approach in Singapore emphasizes collaboration with technology companies while maintaining strict compliance to ensure the safety of young users online.

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7 Jan 2025

Instances of Non-compliance of Telemedicine Guidelines

The Ministry of Health (MOH) is investigating eight telemedicine providers for non-compliance with guidelines, primarily related to lapses in clinical care and inappropriate advertising.
One provider, MaNaDr Clinic, has had its license revoked due to serious breaches, while others have received warnings or suspensions.
In the past year, 59 complaints regarding telemedicine services were received, involving over 20 licensees, indicating a significant concern about the quality of care.
The investigations include assessing the appropriateness of short consultations and ensuring that proper clinical assessments are conducted.
The MOH encourages public feedback on telemedicine services to help monitor and address potential abuses in the system.

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7 Jan 2025

Probe in to Manual Manipulation of Delivery Status Codes for SingPost Parcels

Concerns were raised in Parliament regarding the alleged manual manipulation of delivery status codes for SingPost parcels, particularly in relation to a whistle-blowing report about falsified e-commerce shipment data.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) confirmed that the incident was limited to international parcel deliveries and did not affect domestic postal services, which continue to meet regulatory standards.
The government is monitoring SingPost's corporate governance and has issued advisories to ensure compliance with quality of service obligations, especially following the dismissal of senior executives.
Ongoing reviews of the postal sector are being conducted to address structural challenges, including the decline in traditional mail usage, while ensuring the sustainability and accessibility of postal services.
The IMDA is committed to maintaining public trust in postal services, particularly for essential functions like the delivery of legal notices and court papers, amidst the leadership changes at SingPost.

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7 Jan 2025

Explanation and Impact of Policy Change on Full NRIC Number and Further Measures on Public Education and Protection of Sensitive Identifiable Information

Multiple MPs raised urgent concerns about the policy change to treat full NRIC numbers as public identifiers, questioning the balance between privacy protection and the risks of identity theft and scams, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly.
The debate highlighted the recent ACRA Bizfile incident where full NRIC numbers were briefly exposed, prompting queries on government accountability, compliance with data protection laws, and the need for stronger safeguards and penalties.
MPs sought clarity on timelines for public education, updates to PDPC guidelines, and the transition for sectors like finance and healthcare to move away from using NRIC numbers for authentication.
There were calls for a review of government exemptions from data protection laws, inter-agency coordination before policy rollouts, and assurances that future digital initiatives would prioritize privacy and security.

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