In an effort to combat the rising issue of online harm, the Singapore Government is set to collaborate with major online platforms to expedite responses to harmful content. This initiative, guided by the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act (OSRAA), aims to provide faster relief to victims by reducing the time platforms take to address various forms of online abuse.
Currently, under OSRAA, platforms have a window of six to 48 hours to act on harmful content after receiving a valid notification. Singapore’s Law Minister, Edwin Tong, announced on September 23 that the government intends to work closely with these platforms to shorten these response times as they become more accustomed to the framework.
The response time varies based on the severity of the case. For straightforward situations such as the non-consensual sharing of intimate images or certain child abuse material, platforms must respond within six hours. Cases involving intimate image abuse or image-based child abuse are allotted a 24-hour response period. Meanwhile, online harassment, doxing, and stalking require action within 48 hours.
The framework applies to a range of designated services, including prominent platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, TikTok, Reddit, Telegram, and WeChat. To make reporting easier, the government is considering measures such as enabling victims to access notification forms directly through these platforms and ensuring that only essential information is required from victims.
Additionally, there are plans to streamline the reporting process by encouraging major platforms to offer dedicated channels, like specific email addresses, to facilitate straightforward reporting. The government is also addressing the challenge of harmful content that continues to circulate even when the original post is no longer visible, especially in cross-border cases involving overseas perpetrators or platforms.
Since the launch of Singapore’s Online Safety Commission in June, over 500 reports of online harms have been filed within two months. This commission plays a crucial role in assisting victims by enforcing content removal and imposing restrictions on offending accounts under the new legal framework.