Digital & technology — Topics

14 Sep 2021

Data on Government's Average Late Payment Rate to Its Vendors and Take-up Rate for InvoiceNow

The Government has maintained a late payment rate below 5% since Financial Year 2018, achieving rates of 3.8% in FY2018, 2% in FY2019, and 1.8% in FY2020 through process streamlining, e-invoicing adoption, data analytics, and senior management support.
InvoiceNow, a nationwide e-invoicing network launched in 2019, has over 40,000 locally registered entities signed up, including more than 7,000 public sector vendors, with the public sector onboarded since January 2020 as a preferred channel.
Steps to encourage InvoiceNow adoption include monthly business briefings, direct engagements, ensuring solution provider readiness, low-to-no-cost onboarding options for smaller businesses, a $200 E-invoicing Registration Grant until end-2020, and targeted outreach for larger vendors.

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14 Sep 2021

Proposal to Indicate Vaccination Status on SafeEntry Gateway Device

Gerald Giam proposed upgrading SafeEntry Gateway devices to display vaccination status to reduce crowding and disputes at access points.
The Prime Minister, represented by Josephine Teo, stated that businesses can already verify vaccination status using the SafeEntry (Business) App with TraceTogether tokens or apps.
No plans exist to redesign the SafeEntry Gateway Box, as the current method is considered fast and sufficient, offering little additional utility from an upgrade.

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14 Sep 2021

Tap Technology and Artificial Intelligence to Flag Irregularities in Public Sector's IT Systems Administration and Manage User Access and Controls

The government is implementing automated tools like the Central Accounts Management system to streamline user account administration, with plans for full rollout by end-2023 to reduce human error in IT controls.
Analytics are being used in systems such as the Automated Baseline Log Review to filter and flag irregular activities, with most high-priority systems onboarded by end-2022.
While automation and AI tools are being adopted to enhance monitoring and insights, some processes still require human oversight, and staff training is being emphasized to ensure effective IT management.

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14 Sep 2021

Impact of and Measures to Deal with Threat Caused by Pegasus Cyber Surveillance Tool

Murali Pillai asked about the impact of the Pegasus cyber surveillance tool on Singapore's national security and the steps being taken to address the threat, given its reported use in about 50 countries including Singapore.
K Shanmugam stated that the threat from electronic surveillance tools like Pegasus is not new, and Singapore's security agencies continuously invest resources to protect against such threats to national systems.
K Shanmugam emphasized the need for individuals to adopt good cyber hygiene practices, such as avoiding untrustworthy websites and not opening suspicious attachments, to mitigate risks from spyware and malware.

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14 Sep 2021

Courts (Civil and Criminal Justice) Reform Bill

The Bill aims to modernize Singapore's courts by simplifying legal language and expanding the use of remote hearings to increase efficiency and access to justice, though some members expressed concerns about ensuring clear terminology and the appropriateness of remote proceedings for serious criminal matters.
Parliament debated the Attorney-General's enhanced role in intervening in civil cases to protect public interest, with the Minister clarifying that the two-stage process for intervention is standard legal procedure and necessary to avoid delays.
Members raised issues about the practical impacts of digital transformation, including support for small law firms, the need for improved virtual court platforms, and the importance of maintaining human elements in court proceedings, with the Minister outlining existing and upcoming government assistance measures.

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13 Sep 2021

Investigation on Whether Suspected Infection of Mobile Devices in Singapore are Linked to Cyber Arms Firm's Spyware

Leon Perera inquired whether the government would investigate if suspected mobile device infections in Singapore linked to operators like “Merlion” and “Ganges” are connected to NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware, and what recourse victims have.
Minister Josephine Teo responded that individuals should report suspected spyware infections to the Police or SingCERT, noting that past claims of Pegasus victims in Singapore remain unverified due to lack of reports.
She emphasized that security agencies actively combat electronic surveillance threats and advised the public to practice good cyber hygiene to mitigate risks.

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13 Sep 2021

Update on Number of Low-income Households That Have Benefitted from Home Access 3.0 Programme and Plans to Increase Minimum Broadband Speed

Over 9,100 low-income households have benefited from the Home Access 3.0 programme since its launch in April 2020.
Eligible households can choose between a 500Mbps or 1Gbps subsidised broadband subscription, with over 90% opting for the 500Mbps plan.
The government will continue to review the scheme to ensure offerings keep pace with market availability and citizen needs.

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13 Sep 2021

Proposal for Legislation to Ensure Technology Companies Take Action to Prevent Vulnerable Minors from Accessing Adult Dating Sites

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked if the government will introduce legislation requiring technology companies to prevent minors from accessing adult dating sites.
Mrs Josephine Teo responded that existing laws like the Women's Charter and Penal Code address exploitation and grooming, while the Internet Code of Practice allows blocking of illegal sites and ISPs offer parental control services.
She highlighted ongoing educational efforts, including cyber wellness lessons in schools and public campaigns by the Media Literacy Council, alongside public-private collaborations to address online harms.

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13 Sep 2021

Number of Enterprises that Have Adopted the Industry Digital Plans under Industry Transformation Maps and Number of Workers from These Enterprises with Jobs and Skills Upgraded

As of 31 May 2021, over 75,000 small and medium enterprises have adopted digital solutions under the Industry Digital Plans through the SMEs Go Digital programme.
Since 2016, more than 117,000 individuals have been trained in digital skills like AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity under the TechSkills Accelerator initiative aligned with the IDPs.
18 Industry Digital Plans have been launched since 2017 for 16 of the 23 Industry Transformation Maps sectors, with plans to develop IDPs for all sectors in the future.

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13 Sep 2021

Update on Use of SGSecure App to Make Reports and Actions Taken against Makers of Prank Reports

The SGSecure app has been downloaded by about three million devices since its launch in 2016, with reports made through the app increasing from 6,000 in 2017 to 14,000 last year.
Reports include alerts on suspicious individuals, unattended packages, and signs of radicalisation, but the government does not track the number of prank reports due to anonymity, though it assesses the number to be low.
Three persons have been warned to date for intentionally sending false information via the SGSecure app.

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13 Sep 2021

Plans for Ministries to Work Together to Prevent and Solve Cryptocurrency Scams and Crimes

The Ministry for Home Affairs has established a Cryptocurrency Task Force since 2018, collaborating with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Association of Crypto Currency Enterprises and Start-ups Singapore (ACCESS), and both local and overseas cryptocurrency exchanges to investigate crimes and improve operational procedures.
MAS regulates cryptocurrency-related entities under the Payment Services Act, enforcing anti-money laundering and terrorism financing requirements, and advises consumers to verify regulated entities through resources like the Financial Institutions Directory and Investor Alert List.
Public awareness campaigns by MoneySense and advisories from MAS and the Police focus on educating consumers about the risks of cryptocurrency investments, promoting vigilance, and encouraging checks before investing.
The Task Force and MAS work together to monitor the cryptocurrency landscape and establish relationships with international law enforcement, industry professionals, and academic experts to combat scams and crimes effectively.

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13 Sep 2021

Take-up Rate of ScamShield App since Its Launch and Efforts to Encourage Elderly to Use App to Protect Themselves against Scams

As of August 2021, approximately 200,000 iOS users have downloaded the ScamShield app.
The Android version of ScamShield is expected to be ready by the end of 2021, developed by the National Crime Prevention Council and GovTech.
Authorities are engaging seniors through grassroots outreach, Resident Committees, and Volunteer Crime Prevention Ambassadors to encourage app downloads.
The “SG Cyber Safe Seniors” program and other partner initiatives include references to ScamShield to promote awareness and usage among the elderly.

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13 Sep 2021

Update on Employment of Latest Cyber Technology to Detect and Deter Foreign Interference with Domestic Politics and Social Issues

Christopher de Souza requested an update on how Singapore uses cyber technology to detect and deter foreign interference in domestic politics and social issues.
K Shanmugam explained that foreign actors may use bots or fake accounts to spread hostile information campaigns, and Singapore's security agencies have deployed early detection systems to identify anomalous network activity.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced new legislation to guard against foreign interference in domestic affairs.

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13 Sep 2021

Total Transaction Value of 89 Reports of Fraudulent Card Transactions Performed with SMS OTPs from September 2020 to February 2021

Ms Tin Pei Ling inquired about the total transaction value of 89 reported fraudulent card transactions from September 2020 to February 2021, where victims claimed they did not perform the transactions nor receive SMS OTPs for authorization.
Minister K Shanmugam responded that the total transaction value for these 89 reports was $550,500.
The debate highlighted a specific period of fraudulent activities involving SMS OTPs for card transactions, with victims denying any involvement or receipt of authorization messages.
The figures indicate a significant financial impact from these fraudulent transactions, as reported to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
This exchange underscores ongoing concerns about security vulnerabilities in SMS OTP-based authentication methods for card transactions.

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13 Sep 2021

Leveraging Automation and Technology to Monitor and Curb Sea Robbery Incidents in Singapore Strait

The Ministry highlighted that sea robbery incidents in the Singapore Strait have slightly increased but none originated from Singapore's territorial waters, with agencies like the Police Coast Guard responding swiftly within local waters.
Maritime authorities use technology such as the Vessel Traffic Information System, data analytics, and coastal surveillance to monitor vessels and issue alerts for high-risk areas.
Singapore actively collaborates regionally through the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre and the Information Fusion Centre to share intelligence and coordinate patrols with neighboring countries.
The approach combines domestic enforcement, technological monitoring, and regional partnerships to address the transboundary nature of sea robbery incidents.

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13 Sep 2021

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Fundraising for Charities

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted charity operations, causing cancellations of fundraising events and reduced volunteer opportunities, even as demand for social and health services increased, leading to uneven donation distribution across sectors despite overall resilience and adaptation through online fundraising.
Tax-deductible donations to IPCs remained stable at around $1.01 billion in 2020 compared to $1.02 billion in 2019, while online platforms like Giving.sg saw donations surge to $102 million, a 155% increase, driven largely by growth in social welfare, health, and community sectors.
The government introduced multiple initiatives to support charities, including extended tax deductions, matching grant programmes, and digital transformation resources, alongside ground-up efforts like the #GiveYour600 campaign and the Singapore Strong Fund to encourage giving and address pandemic needs.
Efforts such as the #SGUnited Portal, Invictus Fund, and Tech-and-Go! hub were launched to centralize donation opportunities, marshal private donations, and accelerate digitalisation, aiming to enhance fundraising capabilities and ensure funds reach sectors most affected by the pandemic.
Charities are urged to leverage available grants and digital tools to transform operations and adapt to the new normal, with continued government partnership to help them emerge stronger and promote more equitable and effective charitable giving in the future.

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13 Sep 2021

COVID-19 Vaccination Status Check Via SafeEntry (Business) App

Joan Pereira asked if the government can assist businesses in setting up the SafeEntry (Business) App to check visitors' COVID-19 vaccination status, especially for elderly using TraceTogether tokens.
Josephine Teo confirmed that businesses can use the SafeEntry (Business) App for vaccination and test status checks, with visitors using TT App or tokens for verification.
Over 70% of businesses have already set up the app, and step-by-step guides, hands-on assistance, and technical support are available for those needing help.

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13 Sep 2021

Assessment of Reports on Fake Vaccination Certificates

The Ministry of Health and Smart Nation Office have developed digital tools, like the SafeEntry Business App, for businesses to verify vaccination statuses directly with government databases to prevent forgery.
Businesses can check for fake certificates by looking for specific app features, such as animations or refresh buttons, and by matching personal details on the HealthHub app with government-issued IDs.
Individuals with overseas vaccinations must provide proof and undergo a serology test to have their status updated in the official apps, ensuring only verified certificates are displayed.
Enforcement teams will monitor compliance, and individuals found misrepresenting their vaccination status may face criminal prosecution.

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13 Sep 2021

Incidences of Police Access to Contact Tracing Data Allowed Under Seventh Schedule of COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act

Leong Mun Wai asked if the Singapore Police Force accessed contact tracing data for investigations between February and August 2021, and if so, for which serious offences under the Seventh Schedule of the Act.
K Shanmugam responded that the police did not access contact tracing data for investigations during that period.
The exchange focused on transparency and legal boundaries regarding the use of pandemic-related data for law enforcement.
The debate highlighted concerns about privacy and the scope of emergency measures in Singapore.

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13 Sep 2021

Courts (Civil and Criminal Justice) Reform Bill

The Bill introduces a permanent framework for remote and digital court proceedings, including video-link hearings, paper-based submissions, and asynchronous exchanges, to enhance efficiency and accessibility while ensuring fairness, particularly for litigants-in-person.
It empowers the Attorney-General to intervene in civil proceedings as guardian of the public interest, with a statutory process where courts grant permission based on adequately set-out reasons without examining merits, aiming to clarify and streamline the AG's role.
The Bill mandates courts to consider ordering parties to attempt amicable resolution before continuing litigation, promoting a shift towards conciliation and compromise in dispute resolution.
Other amendments include simplifying court terminology across more than 150 Acts, enabling the High Court to grant freestanding interim relief in aid of foreign proceedings, and allowing proceedings under arbitration acts to be heard in private by default.

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