Digital & technology

1,803 debates and bills about digital & technology

6 Jul 2021

Update on SimplyGo Account Sign-up and Breakdown by Age Group

Mr. Melvin Yong asked the Ministry for Transport for the number of commuters signed up for the SimplyGo ABT system since April 2019, a breakdown of sign-ups by age group, and if more would be done to assist seniors in adopting ABT.
Minister S Iswaran replied that ABT allows payments via contactless cards or mobile wallets, and about 19% of adult trips used ABT by May 2021, but no sign-up breakdown by age is available as ABT users do not need to register.
LTA and EZ-Link will pilot ABT concession cards later this year to gather feedback from seniors and other concession cardholders, with plans to develop measures for a smooth transition to ABT.

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6 Jul 2021

Mr Murali Pillai asked if SCDF can require building owners to ensure basement reception of FM radio broadcasts for imminent threats.
The Public Warning System uses outdoor sirens and the SGSecure app, with multiple channels like TV, radio, social media, and SMS for emergency messages.
SCDF is enhancing emergency broadcasts to platforms like meWATCH and meLISTEN, and the next-generation PWS from 2024 will support voice messages and in-building PA systems for wider coverage.

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6 Jul 2021

Joan Pereira raised concerns about the burden on families to manually record TraceTogether data for elderly attendees without the app or token at funeral wakes.
Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that TraceTogether-only SafeEntry is mandatory at funeral wakes due to higher risk, with infrastructure like SEGW boxes at parlours and QR codes for temporary spaces.
The Ministry has partnered the funeral industry to provide these facilities, but the decision to use funeral service providers for setup rests with the bereaved families.

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6 Jul 2021

The Cyber Security Agency has directed Critical Information Infrastructure sectors to enhance monitoring, regularly back up data offline, and practice incident response plans to counter ransomware threats.
Government agencies are heightening network monitoring, reviewing business continuity measures, and will conduct a whole-of-government ICT incident exercise to improve readiness for cyber incidents.
Public advisories have been issued to encourage cyber hygiene practices such as updating systems and raising employee awareness, with the CSA urging stakeholders to act urgently to implement these measures.

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6 Jul 2021

The Police collaborate with social media platforms, issuing about 6,000 takedown requests in 2021 for scam-related accounts and sharing information for platforms to remove such accounts within one to seven days.
Under the Broadcasting Act, IMDA can direct internet content providers to take down prohibited material like scams as soon as possible and block access to scam websites.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Communications and Information are studying enhancements to regulations to address online harms, including scams, and will share findings later.

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6 Jul 2021

Murali Pillai raised concerns about the scale, financial impact, prosecution, and prevention of online and phone scams originating from overseas, noting difficulties in investigating such crimes.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that 90% of about 31,500 scam cases in the past three years involved overseas scammers, causing $591 million in losses, with only one extradition case to Singapore for prosecution.
The Police employ a multi-pronged strategy, including international collaboration via the Transnational Commercial Crime Task Force, specialized units like the Anti-Scam Centre, and partnerships with banks and public agencies to freeze accounts and recover funds.
Initiatives like the ScamShield app, the '+' prefix for international calls, and public education campaigns aim to raise awareness, block scam communications, and empower the public to recognize and report scams.
The overall approach emphasizes enhancing capabilities, coordinating across sectors, and fostering public vigilance to mitigate losses and protect Singapore residents from transnational scams.

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6 Jul 2021

The debate focused on the Registration of Births and Deaths Bill, which aims to digitalise and streamline the registration process for greater convenience and efficiency.
Members raised clarifications on specific issues, including the allowance for double-barrelled surnames and race designations for children of mixed parentage, potential delays in death certification, and accessibility for non-digitally savvy relatives.
The Minister addressed concerns, confirming no extra fees for the new digital process, clarifying the rationale for different reporting responsibilities for births and deaths, and stating that ICA will use existing enforcement divisions for investigations.

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6 Jul 2021

Members support the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill to digitize Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) applications, citing benefits like faster processing and greater accessibility, but emphasize the need to assist seniors and those with mobility issues in navigating the new online system.
Concerns were raised about potential fraud, cybersecurity risks, and the lack of in-person safeguards in the digital process, with suggestions for additional verification steps, such as requiring meetings between donors, donees, and Certificate Issuers, and expanding protections against cyberattacks.
Parliamentarians advocated for broader public awareness campaigns to destigmatize LPAs and increase adoption, integrating LPA education into healthcare settings and community outreach, similar to COVID-19 vaccination drives, while considering cost measures like permanently waiving registration fees.

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6 Jul 2021

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass is currently being used by passengers traveling to Singapore to share pre-departure PCR test results and vaccination certificates since May 2021.
Singapore is engaging in bilateral discussions with several countries, such as Australia, Malaysia, and the Republic of Korea, to establish mutual recognition and verification mechanisms for vaccination certificates, including the exchange of public keys and specimen copies.
The government views the recognition of health passports as a two-step process: first verifying the authenticity of the certificates, and second, determining the appropriate travel safeguards based on the traveler's origin country and risk level.

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5 Jul 2021