Digital & technology — Topics

9 May 2022

Tracking of Local Companies which Experienced Cyber Attacks over Past Two Years and Measure to Equip Companies with Capabilities to Enhance Cyber Resilience

The Government tracks cybersecurity incidents reported to the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), with 1,238 reports received in 2021 and 972 in 2020, primarily from Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) owners who are legally required to report, while other companies are encouraged to report voluntarily.
Companies with CII must comply with the Cybersecurity Act to implement security measures, and non-CII enterprises are supported through CSA’s SG Cyber Safe Programme, which includes advisories, alerts, and a certification scheme with Cyber Essentials and Cyber Trust marks.
CSA provides resources such as toolkits and a dedicated website to help companies enhance cyber resilience, promoting best practices and encouraging participation in the certification programme to demonstrate their cybersecurity posture.

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9 May 2022

Update on LTA's Milestone 2 and Milestone 3 Tests for Autonomous Vehicles

One autonomous vehicle has passed LTA's Milestone 2 test as of March 31, 2022, allowing trials in residential areas with a safety operator.
LTA is currently developing the Milestone 3 test, which would permit trials with or without a safety operator.
The requirements for Milestone 3 are being shaped in tandem with AV technology development to ensure roadworthiness and safety are not compromised.

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9 May 2022

Data on Number of Requests to Deregister from TraceTogether Programme

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Prime Minister for monthly data on the number of users requesting to deregister from TraceTogether over the last year.
The Prime Minister’s office responded that approximately 5,900 users were deregistered between January 2021 and April 2022, averaging 370 per month.

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9 May 2022

Steps to Address Potential Use of Social Media Bots to Manipulate Stock Trading in Singapore Exchange

The Prime Minister, through Tharman Shanmugaratnam, outlined that MAS and SGX Regco conduct surveillance and post-trade monitoring, with the capability to investigate social media when unusual trading is detected.
If bots are identified, authorities will work with social media providers to disable accounts or remove content and collaborate with trading members to disrupt suspicious activity, including suspending securities or disabling accounts.
MAS, the Commercial Affairs Department, and SGX Regco have issued public advisories warning investors to be cautious of stock recommendations on social media, as they may be manipulative or not from real individuals.

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9 May 2022

Physical Tokens for Less Technologically Savvy Users to Access Mobile and Digital Banking Services

Christopher de Souza asked whether banks should be required to keep issuing physical tokens for mobile and digital banking, especially for those less tech-savvy or unable to afford newer phones.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam stated that MAS mandates multi-factor authentication but does not prescribe specific technologies, allowing banks to choose methods that best suit customer preferences.
Banks offer hardware tokens, digital tokens, and biometrics, and those that have phased out hardware tokens have advised customers and trained staff to assist with digital token use.
Major banks have stopped issuing hardware tokens by default for new internet banking applicants, but customers can still request them if preferred.

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9 May 2022

Percentage of Polyclinics and GP Clinics Able to Access and Input Into National Electronic Health Records System

As of April 2022, all polyclinics and nearly 60% of private GP clinics have access to the National Electronic Health Records (NEHR) system.
Under the Healthier SG initiative, care providers will be able to access, update, and share patients’ medical records via NEHR to track conditions and progress.
A Health Information Bill will be introduced to govern secure data sharing and access processes within the NEHR framework.

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9 May 2022

Daily Withdrawal Limits for CPF Funds and Safeguards in Place Against Scams Involving Extraordinarily Large Sums

The CPF Board does not impose daily withdrawal limits or specific thresholds for large sums, focusing instead on verifying that withdrawals are made to the member’s own bank account.
Key safeguards include authenticating the member’s identity via Singpass or face-to-face verification, sending email or SMS notifications for withdrawals, and confirming bank account ownership before payment.
These measures align with industry practices, and the CPF Board will continue to review and update safeguards to protect against scams, while emphasizing the importance of member vigilance.

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9 May 2022

Number of Overseas Scam Calls Reported in 2021 and 2022 and Viability of Call Blocking Option for Users

The Minister reported that in 2021, telecommunication providers blocked an average of 15 million incoming overseas calls per month, including spoofed calls impersonating local agencies, and have used a "+" prefix since April 2020 to flag overseas calls.
The government noted that while a few international telcos offer call blocking as a commercial service, no regulator currently mandates blocking all overseas calls.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority is discussing the feasibility and implications of providing users with an option to block overseas calls with telcos and will make a decision after review.

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5 Apr 2022

Streamline Means-Testing Procedures and Submission of Documents for Public Assistance Applications and Renewals

Gerald Giam asked whether the government would streamline means-testing and reduce document submission for public assistance, using data sharing with applicant consent.
Masagos Zulkifli outlined ongoing efforts, such as backend data sharing with agencies like CPFP, HDB, and ICA, to minimize physical documents and repeated means-testing.
Since 2018, ComCare applicants can easily access adjacent financial schemes automatically, without extra forms or means-testing, and submit ComCare letters for other schemes.
Starting June 2022, ComCare families with school children automatically qualify for MOE FAS and MSF SCFA without separate applications, and online renewal via the SupportGoWhere portal will use Myinfo for auto-population and document submission.
The government plans to expand scheme bundles and onboard more schemes to the portal for comprehensive, convenient, and coordinated support.

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5 Apr 2022

Update on Call-for-Collaboration for Pilot Deployment of Autonomous Buses and Shuttles in Singapore

Melvin Yong Yik Chye sought an update on the Call-for-Collaboration for the pilot deployment of autonomous buses and shuttles that closed in July 2019 and asked when the pilots would begin in Punggol, Tengah, and the Jurong Innovation District.
S Iswaran responded that LTA and EDB are negotiating with shortlisted consortia after their submissions for the autonomous vehicle pilot.
The successful consortia will need time to develop technology and prepare for deployment, with safety and community engagement being key priorities before finalising the pilot.

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5 Apr 2022

Financial Services and Markets Bill

The bill consolidates and expands MAS's regulatory powers to address evolving risks in digital assets, technology management, and prohibition orders, with members seeking clarifications on virtual asset service provider licensing, NFT regulation, and financial penalties for lapses.
The Minister of State explained that MAS regulates based on activity and risk, not technology, and will not impose additional licensing if entities are already regulated under existing acts, while addressing concerns about NFTs, cross-border enforcement, and consumer protection measures.
Members raised issues on accountability for prohibition orders, including the need for public explanations and appeal committee transparency, with the Minister clarifying existing notification processes and potential publication of a public register in the future.

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5 Apr 2022

Growing Popularity of "Buy Now Pay Later" Schemes and Plans to Regulate Firms Offering such Schemes

BNPL transactions in Singapore reached $440 million in 2021, representing less than 0.5% of total consumer payments, and the government does not currently see significant consumer debt risks due to existing safeguards like age limits and payment caps.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore is guiding the development of an industry code of conduct for BNPL providers, expected in the second half of the year, to mitigate over-indebtedness and protect consumer interests.
MPs raised concerns about unsecured lending, double leverage, and advertising to youths, with the Minister noting these issues may be addressed in the code and encouraging collaboration with the Singapore FinTech Association.

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5 Apr 2022

Plans for Relaxation of Vaccination-differentiated Measures and Use of TraceTogether Data

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked about the medium-term plans for relaxing vaccination-differentiated measures and whether COVID-19 status would be treated differently from other endemic diseases.
Leong Mun Wai inquired if the Government intends to maintain Vaccination-differentiated Safe Management Measures after borders reopen further.
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim also questioned the current use of TraceTogether data for high-traffic venues and the timeline for abolishing entry protocols.
The Senior Minister of State for Health referred to previous replies and emphasized the shift toward social responsibility, noting that TraceTogether use would adapt based on public health risks.
The debate highlighted ongoing considerations for transitioning from mandated measures to individual responsibility in managing COVID-19.

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4 Apr 2022

Reasons for Recent Data Breach of Local Retail Website and Measures to Ensure Security and Protection of Customer Data

The recent data breach was attributed to common root causes such as human errors (e.g., misdirected emails) and cyber incidents like coding issues, weak passwords, and inadequate security practices, despite prior warnings from authorities.
The government has introduced resources like cybersecurity toolkits, the Cyber Trust and Cyber Essentials mark, and the Data Protection Essentials programme to help organizations, especially SMEs, strengthen data protection and recover from breaches.
Organizations are ultimately responsible for safeguarding customer data, with financial penalties for PDPA violations increasing to 10% of annual turnover or $1 million, whichever is higher, from October 2022.

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4 Apr 2022

Strategies in Schools to Ensure Children Spot Signs of Disinformation and Online Falsehoods

Schools teach information and media literacy across subjects from Primary to pre-University levels, focusing on critical evaluation of sources and distinguishing fact from opinion.
Starting from upper Primary, students learn age-appropriate strategies to verify credibility, cross-check information, and spot falsehoods, with skills built upon in later years.
Cyber Wellness education within the Character and Citizenship Education curriculum reinforces online discernment, including discussions on real-world issues like POFMA and scams.

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4 Apr 2022

Incidence of Hostile Information Campaigns Targeted at Singapore Residents Since Start of Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Minister for Home Affairs stated that no coordinated hostile information campaign targeting Singapore has been detected since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began, though some inauthentic social media accounts discussing the conflict have been identified and reported to TikTok.
The Government observed that Singapore’s population is being influenced by foreign news and commentaries, with misinformation often appearing as local discourse through hearsay, rumors, or half-truths.
Actions taken include flagging suspicious accounts to TikTok for review, though the platform’s internal investigation concluded the accounts were not of foreign origin.

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4 Apr 2022

Use of TraceTogether Data for Criminal Investigations

Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Home Affairs about the use of TraceTogether data in criminal investigations, specifically the number of cases, categories under the Seventh Schedule of the COVID-19 Act, and any inadvertent use outside the Schedule.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that the Police have only requested TraceTogether data once for a murder case in May 2020, which was discussed in Parliament in February 2021.
The Minister confirmed that TraceTogether data has not been used for any criminal investigations since that single request, neither for offences under the Seventh Schedule nor for offences outside it.

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4 Apr 2022

Financial Services and Markets Bill

The Bill consolidates and expands MAS’s regulatory powers across the financial sector, including harmonising technology risk management requirements and enhancing enforcement tools like Prohibition Orders to address misconduct and digitalisation risks.
It introduces licensing and anti-money laundering requirements for digital token service providers operating from Singapore but offering services overseas, aiming to close regulatory gaps and align with international standards.
Measures are proposed to strengthen consumer protection, including higher penalties for technology risk breaches and statutory protection for dispute resolution mediators, though some MPs called for stronger legislative safeguards against scams and fraud.
The debate highlighted concerns about balancing regulatory rigor with industry competitiveness, the need for clarity in applying new rules, and ensuring that reforms support innovation while maintaining Singapore’s reputation as a trusted financial hub.

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4 Apr 2022

Shutdown of Anti-SMS Spoofing Registry

The Senior Minister of State explained that the pilot registry was replaced by the full-fledged Singapore SMS Sender ID Registry (SSIR) to proactively block spoofed SMSes, offer a more affordable pricing model for SMEs, and align Singapore with international practices as an early adopter of such a national registry.
Yip Hon Weng questioned the timing of the shutdown, whether adequate assessment time was given to agencies, the superiority of SSIR over the pilot, its international alignment, and the onboarding timeline for banks and government agencies.
The Minister confirmed that 25 organisations, including banks and government agencies, had joined SSIR by 30 March 2022, with support from key industry bodies, but noted that monitoring is ongoing to decide if mandatory registration is needed.
In response to Yip’s follow-up, the Minister stated that SSIR aims to protect organisations voluntarily, detailed its pricing structure, and highlighted that over 1,000 Sender IDs are already registered while IMDA assesses future regulatory approaches.
The debate highlighted the government’s rationale for shifting from a reactive pilot to a proactive national registry, its affordability, international standing, and the current voluntary status with ongoing evaluation of mandatory requirements.

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4 Apr 2022

Review of Safe Management Measures with Stability after COVID-19 Omicron Virus Wave

The Minister confirmed that relaxed safe management measures and the Vaccinated Travel Framework were implemented after the Omicron wave peaked, with a cautious step-by-step approach that includes considering further easing of distancing rules in F&B settings as cases subside.
TraceTogether and SafeEntry are under review; TraceTogether is no longer used for general contact tracing but may be retained for vulnerable sectors, while SafeEntry and Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS) remain for now to protect the unvaccinated minority and ease hospital burdens, with plans to step them down when the healthcare situation stabilizes.
Parliament members questioned the equity and practicality of maintaining VDS and SafeEntry for a small unvaccinated population, arguing it inconveniences the majority, but the Minister emphasized the current need to support healthcare workers and avoid additional hospital workload before transitioning to individual responsibility.

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