Singapore proposes law to help victims of online harms get timely relief and redress

“These directions may be issued to communicators of the harmful content, administrators of online locations or platforms where the harmful content is hosted,” MDDI and MinLaw said.

Failure to comply with these directions will constitute a criminal offence.

The OSC may also take additional measures such as issuing an access blocking order or app removal order.

The Bill also seeks to introduce statutory torts to clarify the duties and liabilities of the three main groups of communicators, administrators and platforms.  

A statutory tort is a civil wrong created by legislation; and when proven, can result in the likes of monetary compensation for victims.

Under the torts, communicators must not communicate, publish or engage in online harm; administrators must not facilitate such harms in spaces they manage and must take reasonable measures when notified; and platforms must take reasonable measures to address specified online harms upon receiving notice of such harm, among others.

“Certain platforms, such as those with greater reach, will be subject to additional requirements, for example, on the time taken to respond to user reports,” MDDI and MinLaw said.

“Overall, the statutory torts will provide victims with a clear cause of action against the above-mentioned parties, and allow victims to seek redress from the Court. The Court will be able to grant remedies such as compensatory damages and injunctions,” the ministries added.