Digital & technology

1,803 debates and bills about digital & technology

15 Oct 2012

Personal Data Protection Bill

The Personal Data Protection Bill introduces a comprehensive framework to regulate the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data by private organizations, balancing individual privacy rights with manageable compliance costs for businesses, particularly SMEs, through a phased implementation and exceptions for certain entities like data intermediaries and public agencies.
It establishes a Do Not Call (DNC) registry to allow individuals to opt out of unsolicited marketing calls and messages, with specific exclusions for business-to-business communications and certain charitable or public service messages, while imposing obligations on organizations to check the registry and obtain clear consent.
The bill creates a Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) to enforce the law, with powers to issue directions, impose financial penalties up to $1 million, and provide education and outreach, while allowing for appeals and dispute resolution through independent panels and courts.

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15 Oct 2012

The Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) rollout reached 95% coverage by mid-2012, with 22 retail service providers now offering competitive packages, including prices as low as $40 per month for 100 Mbps plans and benefits like no contract lock-ins and innovative services.
The remaining homes and businesses are expected to be covered within nine months, though delays have occurred due to arrangements with subcontractors, and the regulator (IDA) is pressing OpenNet to accelerate progress to meet its Universal Service Obligation from January 2013.
Consumer take-up has been strong, with over 220,000 households subscribed within two years, but enterprise adoption has been slower, and OpenNet has increased its weekly order capacity to address activation delays.
If OpenNet fails to meet the Universal Service Obligation deadline, IDA will assess the situation and determine appropriate responses, while continuing to engage all parties to ensure timely rollout to all areas.

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15 Oct 2012

The government requested Google to block access to the "Innocence of Muslims" film trailer in Singapore as a pre-emptive measure to prevent potential social unrest and protect inter-racial and inter-religious harmony, citing escalating violence in neighboring countries.
Officials emphasized that while the public responded calmly, the decision was based on the principle that freedom of expression does not extend to insulting others' religions, and such actions reinforce laws against incitement to hatred.
The debate highlighted the government's ongoing challenge in balancing online freedom with social stability, noting that each case is assessed on content and potential impact, but the trailer block was an exception due to its global inflammatory nature.
Concerns were raised about whether this approach weakens Singapore's ability to handle future hate speech, especially from foreign sources, but the government affirmed that decisive action reassures the public and maintains social peace.
The discussion also touched on integrating new citizens and residents into Singapore's culture of tolerance, with officials stressing that education and modeling behavior are key to upholding shared values in a multi-racial society.

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10 Sep 2012

Ellen Lee asked if the Ministry would encourage Autonomous Universities to offer free online education resources to align with global open learning initiatives and how it would support this financially.
Heng Swee Keat responded that while MOE recognizes global trends, online initiatives are still evolving and cannot replace the value of face-to-face university interactions.
He noted that universities like NUS and NTU are already offering free materials via platforms like iTunes U and will continue exploring online learning in their strategic plans.
The Ministry supports harnessing technology to enrich learning but emphasizes that online resources should complement, not replace, traditional education experiences.
No specific funding details were provided, but the response highlighted ongoing efforts and future explorations by universities in this area.

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10 Sep 2012

The take-up rate for the ultra-fast fibre broadband network has reached 63% for free installation and 17% for fibre services, with efforts underway to boost awareness and adoption through various initiatives.
While OpenNet is contractually obligated to offer free installation only once per area, the government has urged it to accommodate requests from households that missed the first round, though charges may apply for ad-hoc installations.
The government is closely monitoring OpenNet's rollout to ensure it meets its contractual obligations and will continue promoting fibre service adoption through competitive pricing and community engagement.

Summary written by AI

10 Sep 2012

The bill aims to govern the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data by organizations.
It seeks to establish the Personal Data Protection Commission and a Do Not Call Register.
The bill includes provisions for the administration of these bodies and related matters.
It also proposes amendments to various other Acts to ensure consistency.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim presented the bill and it was read for the first time, with a second reading scheduled for the next parliamentary sitting.

Summary written by AI