Digital & technology — Topics

6 Nov 2023

Spectrum of Enforcement Using Data From ERP 2.0 System

Hazel Poa asked whether the Singapore Police Force can access ERP 2.0 data for criminal investigations and what specific data types would be available.
Hany Soh inquired if the Ministry plans to use the ERP 2.0 system for enforcement against traffic offences like speeding.
K Shanmugam stated that the position on ERP 2.0 usage has been consistently communicated in Parliament and previous debates, referencing a 2016 Committee of Supply report.

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6 Nov 2023

Prevention of Failed Biometric Clearance Due to Eye Disorders or Physical Fading of Fingerprints

Miss Rachel Ong inquired about the incidence of biometric clearance failures among seniors due to eye disorders or fading fingerprints, and the support measures for the upcoming passport-free system.
The Minister for Home Affairs stated that the ICA does not track specific data on travellers facing biometric issues.
The Multi-Modal Biometrics System (MMBS) uses facial and iris images as the primary biometrics to assist seniors with fingerprint problems, with fingerprints as a fallback option.
In rare cases where all biometrics fail, manual counters and ICA officers are available to assist travellers.
These measures aim to ensure inclusive and efficient biometric clearance at Changi Airport moving forward.

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6 Nov 2023

Prevention of Bank Data Centre Failures and Outages

Yip Hon Weng asked the Prime Minister about MAS’s oversight of banks and plans to prevent future data centre outages following a 14 October 2023 incident where cooling system failures at a data centre caused service disruptions for DBS and Citibank.
Lawrence Wong explained that the outages affected up to 810,000 digital banking attempts and 2.5 million transactions, and while banks activated disaster recovery plans, technical issues at backup data centres delayed full recovery until the early hours of 15 October 2023.
MAS requires banks to have disaster recovery plans tested regularly, with critical systems restored within four hours, but it does not oversee external service providers; banks are responsible for ensuring their vendors meet MAS standards on operational resilience.
MAS held DBS and Citibank accountable for falling short of resilience requirements, noting DBS had five disruptions in eight months, and imposed measures including fines, additional capital requirements, and a six-month ban on non-essential IT changes and new ventures for DBS.
MAS has instructed both banks to investigate root causes, implement remediation measures, and provide regular system availability reports, while the government studies strengthening data centre resilience and customers are advised to have contingency plans for banking disruptions.

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6 Nov 2023

Lessons and Safeguards from Disruptions Due To Recent Data Centre Outages

Liang Eng Hwa inquired about lessons learned from recent digital service disruptions and potential regulatory enhancements to ensure data centre resiliency in Singapore.
Josephine Teo highlighted existing regulations for critical infrastructure and sector-specific oversight, while noting the need to study broader risks and possible risk-calibrated regulations for data centres.
She emphasized that regulation alone cannot prevent outages and that industries must proactively mitigate risks to maintain consumer confidence and service continuity.

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6 Nov 2023

Encouraging Companies to Enrol in IMDA's AI Verify Foundation to Uphold Responsible and Ethical Use of AI

Ms See Jinli Jean asked about plans to enroll AI-driven companies in IMDA's AI Verify Foundation and proposed a consumer reporting channel and tripartism approach for AI use in the workplace.
Mrs Josephine Teo stated that Singapore supports responsible AI development, noting that IMDA has introduced guidelines and tools like the Model AI Governance Framework and the voluntary AI Verify testing framework.
She explained that AI Verify can support union engagement on AI impacting workers, and that existing agencies like MOM and TAFEP already handle reports on AI-related employment issues, while financial concerns go to the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

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6 Nov 2023

Social Media Services which Allow Advertisements to be Used as Tools for Scams or to Promote Violence

Murali Pillai queried if the Ministry is aware of designated social media services permitting advertisements to be used for scams or violence promotion accessible to Singapore users, and what enforcement actions are contemplated.
Josephine Teo stated that six social media services are designated under the Broadcasting Act and must comply with the Online Safety Code, with IMDA empowered to block egregious content; no reports of violent advertisements have been received, but over 2,000 scam-related ad reports were noted, mainly on Facebook, leading to collaboration for removal.
The upcoming Online Criminal Harms Act will grant authorities stronger powers to issue directions to disable criminal content like scam ads and require services to proactively disrupt such activities, with non-compliance punishable and access potentially restricted.

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6 Nov 2023

Regulating Big Tech Companies to Ensure Adherence to Service Standards in Light of Data Centre Outage on 14 October 2023

The Government is studying whether to introduce risk-calibrated regulation for data centres as a category of digital infrastructure, following the October 2023 outage that affected essential services.
Existing regulations already apply to critical information infrastructure and essential service providers, with sector regulators imposing security and resilience requirements.
The Government recognises the need to further assess national reliance on digital infrastructure and explore ways to enhance security and resilience beyond current measures.
While regulation is being considered, the Government emphasises that industry and enterprises must also take proactive steps to mitigate risks and maintain service continuity.

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6 Nov 2023

Option to Take CPF Accounts Offline as Safeguard against Loss through Scams and Malware Fraud

Sylvia Lim asked whether CPF members can take their accounts offline to protect against scams and malware fraud.
The CPF Board is collaborating with government agencies and banks to enhance security, including implementing Singpass Face Verification and requiring bank verification for withdrawals.
The Board is developing additional measures, such as options to limit or disable online withdrawals, to further safeguard members’ savings.

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6 Nov 2023

Protecting Singaporeans' Banking and Financial Transactions Now that Insanet’s Advanced Spyware has been Approved for Sale

Poh Li San inquired about protective measures against Insanet’s spyware, which can be installed via ads and is approved for sale, especially for banking and financial transactions.
Josephine Teo explained that Sherlock is a sophisticated, targeted spyware requiring significant resources and government approval, with no reported infections in Singapore.
Teo emphasized the need for individual cyber vigilance, such as avoiding untrustworthy sites, updating software, and using security apps to combat malware-enabled scams.

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6 Nov 2023

Regulatory Mechanisms to Compel Social Media Platforms to Remove Posts or Accounts Suspected of Perpetrating Scams

Minister K Shanmugam stated that police have flagged over 5,900 scam-related accounts and ads since 2021 for removal by platforms like Facebook and Instagram, with turnaround times varying from one to five days or longer, and noted Telegram has not responded to requests.
The Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA) was passed in July 2023 and will be operationalised progressively from the first quarter of 2024, allowing police to direct online services to block suspected scam content from reaching Singapore users, with non-compliance being an offence.
Until OCHA is active, designated social media platforms under the Broadcasting Act must have systems to minimize harmful content exposure, and users can report scams for removal via community guidelines.

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6 Nov 2023

Cost, Lifespan and Expected Outcomes for Installation of Next Generation ERP 2.0 System On-Board Units in Vehicles

The Land Transport Authority will replace the aging ERP 1.0 system with a new satellite-based ERP 2.0, installing on-board units (OBUs) free of charge for existing vehicles to improve traffic management and allow for more agile congestion pricing without physical gantries.
The new system will alert motorists of charges via the OBU or a smartphone app, and payment options will align with current car park systems using contactless cards, though cash cards are being phased out.
There are strict data safeguards in place for anonymized or aggregated data use, with specific vehicle data only used for payment and enforcement, and robust security measures prevent unauthorized access.
Distance-based charging is not immediately planned, as factors for its implementation are still under consideration, and the OBU is favored over a smartphone app due to reliability, security, and operational consistency.

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6 Nov 2023

Costs, Lessons and Further Safeguards Arising from Recent Disruptions to Digital Banking Services

The disruptions on October 14, 2023, affecting DBS and Citibank were caused by a cooling system malfunction in a shared data centre, leading to failed recovery attempts at backup sites and impacting nearly 810,000 access attempts and 2.5 million transactions.
MAS imposed penalties including fines, increased regulatory capital requirements, and restrictions on DBS’s IT changes and business activities, while emphasizing that banks are accountable for ensuring service resilience and compensating customers fairly.
MAS requires banks to maintain robust business continuity plans and test recovery systems regularly but does not directly regulate external service providers like data centres, instead holding banks responsible for oversight.
The government is studying whole-of-Government measures to strengthen data centre resilience, and MAS will incorporate lessons from the incident into future supervisory approaches and industry-wide exercises.
Consumers are advised to maintain contingency payment options, while banks must improve transparency, communication during outages, and ensure services remain accessible for those less adept with technology.

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4 Oct 2023

Allowing Cancellation of Bookings for Facilities in ActiveSG App

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned whether the ActiveSG app could be modified to allow users to cancel confirmed bookings for facilities.
Minister Edwin Tong Chun Fai explained that the app currently does not allow cancellations to prevent hoarding and last-minute cancellations, ensuring broader access to public sports facilities.
Users unable to use booked facilities due to unforeseen circumstances can write to ActiveSG for a replacement booking or refund, after which the slot is released for others.
The government continues to monitor user experiences to improve service while noting high utilization of public sports facilities.

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4 Oct 2023

Deployment of Healthier SG Ambassadors

Healthier SG ambassadors are currently deployed across 136 locations nationwide, including community clubs, polyclinics, vaccination centers, and roadshows, to assist elderly residents with enrollment and queries.
The ambassadors primarily help seniors who are less tech-savvy enroll via their preferred clinic, address questions about Healthier SG, and guide them to local social activities.
There are over 500 ambassadors deployed, with plans to redeploy them to focus on community outreach, polyclinics, and community clubs as enrollment progresses and roadshows conclude.
The redeployment strategy aims to include constituency-level health and sports events to further drive enrollment and community engagement.

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4 Oct 2023

White-collar Crimes, Scams and Cybercrime as Proportion of All Cases Reported to Police

From January to June 2023, white-collar crimes, scams, and cybercrimes made up about 75% of the 34,605 crimes reported to the Police.
The Police do not track the number of officers specifically assigned to investigate these crimes, but the force is lean and stretched, with one of the lowest officer-to-population ratios globally.
The number of such crimes, especially scams, has surged by over 400% in five years, while investigator numbers have only increased by about 7%, creating a resource disparity.
Investigations are complex due to sophisticated, transnational criminal networks using technology to move funds and evade detection, exemplified by large-scale cases like the recent money laundering operation.
The Police face challenges including officer burnout and the need to balance heavy workloads, and the trend of rising crime volumes is expected to continue without sufficient resource adjustments.

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4 Oct 2023

Extension of 24/7 On-demand Audible Traffic Signals to More Town Centres

The LTA has equipped 1,300 pedestrian crossings with audible traffic signals operating from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm to assist persons with visual impairment while minimizing late-night noise.
As part of the Enabling Masterplan 2030, 325 crossings across 10 town centres are being upgraded to 24/7 on-demand signals by 2025, with 62 completed so far; the usefulness will be monitored before considering further expansion.
LTA has received an average of eight noise complaints annually over the past five years, typically resolved by reducing audio device volume.
LTA is studying the feasibility of integrating traffic signals with third-party applications to enhance mobility for persons with visual impairment.

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4 Oct 2023

Enhancing Awareness among Youths about Risks and Consequences Associated with Becoming Money Mules

The Minister outlined that the Police conduct public education events like the "Youths Against Scams" competition and collaborate with the Ministry of Education on school talks and events such as the Anti-Scam and Cybersecurity Makeathon to raise awareness about the risks of becoming money mules.
The Government has amended the Corruption, Drug Trafficking, and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act to strengthen enforcement against money mules, with the Police and Monetary Authority of Singapore working with banks to enhance advisories for customers, including youths, about account misuse liabilities.
Collaborative measures with financial institutions include enhancing advisory messages during bank account openings to deter youths from engaging in such activities, such as flagging risks when individuals open multiple accounts across different banks in a short period.

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4 Oct 2023

Technical Issues Associated with Issuance of HDB Flat Eligibility Letters

HDB acknowledged technical issues and high application volume caused delays in issuing HFE letters after its May 2023 implementation, affecting some applicants’ ability to complete flat purchases.
The government stated that system enhancements have been made ahead of the October 2023 BTO launch, and applicants who submitted documents by end-August would receive outcomes in time for the sales exercise.
While HDB did not specify the exact number of applications delayed beyond the 21-day service standard, it confirmed that no applicants missed the May BTO launch due to transitional arrangements and that those needing urgent resale flat assistance were helped.

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3 Oct 2023

Security Measures to Prevent Scams Siphoning Off Funds from CPF Accounts

Leong Mun Wai questioned the CPF Board's reimbursement framework for scam victims, the lack of bank-like security measures such as transaction limits and kill switches, and suggested implementing proactive screening, transaction delays, and the ability to freeze online transactions.
Tan See Leng stated that Singpass Face Verification has been added for CPF e-services, withdrawals above the Full Retirement Sum are paid to verified bank accounts with SMS/email notifications, and no CPF savings have been lost directly from the system.
The CPF Board is considering further security measures based on industry solutions and public suggestions, but cannot disclose details for security reasons, and will continue collaborating with other agencies and banks to enhance member protection.
For victims of unauthorized CPF withdrawals, the CPF Board is assisting the Police with investigations to track down those responsible for the scams.

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3 Oct 2023

Portal for Verifying Authenticity of Halal Certificates Issued by MUIS

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim proposed a system to verify the authenticity of halal certificates issued by MUIS, similar to the existing portal for court orders.
Currently, the public can verify halal certificates by checking MUIS's online list or MuslimSG app and should report any suspicious certificates directly to MUIS.
MUIS is enhancing public education on identifying genuine certificates and reviewing digitisation efforts to improve security features for future verification.

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