NEW SOCIAL MEDIA CODE
The OCHA Workplace may also introduce a brand new code for Fb, Instagram and TikTok, that are assessed to pose the very best rip-off danger amongst social media companies in Singapore.
In 2025, these platforms accounted for about 30 per cent of whole rip-off circumstances, with Fb alone accounting for about 18 per cent.
SPF mentioned a key concern was the usage of ads to focus on potential victims, including that social media platforms revenue from publishing ads and should be sure that their content material shouldn’t be used to additional against the law.
Beneath the social media code of apply, platforms must stop ads from being revealed to Singapore customers if there’s a motive to suspect they’re getting used to additional a rip-off.
This contains checking for practices similar to URL cloaking, which can be utilized to cover a vacation spot web site’s handle, in addition to different suspicious content material.
They may also should promptly take away suspected rip-off ads which can be accessible to Singapore customers, together with these reported by customers.
As well as, the platforms have to confirm the identities of advertisers by conducting checks towards government-issued information earlier than permitting them to publish ads concentrating on Singapore customers on their platforms.
They may also have to forestall ads providing monetary companies or merchandise to Singapore customers except the advertiser is licensed to supply them in Singapore by the Financial Authority of Singapore or one other relevant authority.
The three social media platforms should implement such measures to adjust to the code by Jan 31, 2027.
As the brand new messaging and social media codes incorporate related necessities from the prevailing On-line Communication Providers Code, the OCHA Workplace will rescind the prevailing code when the brand new ones take impact, SPF mentioned.
ENHANCED E-COMMERCE CODE
An enhanced code of apply may also apply to a few e-commerce companies, constructing on present necessities for vendor verification and cost safety launched in June 2024.
The companies – Carousell, Fb Market and Fb Enterprise Pages – shall be required to introduce stronger consent measures earlier than permitting logins from new or unrecognised gadgets.
The improved code may also undertake safeguards from the Social Media Code to guard customers towards the exploitation of on-line ads by scammers, SPF mentioned.
The three companies should implement the required measures by Jan 31, 2027.
ENFORCEMENT
If a delegated on-line service fails to adjust to an relevant requirement, the OCHA Workplace could problem a rectification discover requiring it to treatment the non-compliance with a specified interval, SPF mentioned.
Beneath the present OCHA penalty framework, failing to adjust to a rectification discover with out affordable excuse is an offence punishable by a superb of as much as S$1 million (US$782,400).
For a seamless offence, the platform could face an extra superb of as much as S$100,000 for each day or a part of a day that the offence continues after conviction.
The Ministry of Residence Affairs has proposed legislative amendments in Parliament in August to strengthen the OCHA penalty framework.
Beneath the proposed framework, the OCHA Workplace could impose a monetary penalty of as much as S$10 million for every occasion of non-compliance with a code of apply or implementation directive.
Alternatively, it could direct the platform to treatment the non-compliance by a rectification discover or compliance order.
Failure to adjust to a rectification discover or compliance order with out a legitimate motive shall be punishable with a superb of as much as S$10 million.
For a seamless offence, an extra superb of as much as S$300,000 might be imposed for each day or a part of a day that the offence continues after conviction.
Extra particulars shall be shared on the second studying of the Scams (Countermeasures) and Different Issues Invoice in September, mentioned SPF.
“The Police urge members of the general public to stay vigilant towards on-line felony harms,” mentioned SPF, including that whereas the platforms are anticipated to do extra to enhance the protection of their companies beneath the codes of apply, customers ought to proceed to take precautions when interacting and transacting on-line.