The bill also intends to impose criminal sanctions – including fines of up to S$1 million and 10 years in prison – against those who spread an online falsehood with intent to prejudice the public interest, and those who make a bot to spread an online falsehood. The sanctions will also apply to anyone providing services for the purpose of spreading falsehoods in return for a reward.
SINGAPORE (April 2): Singapore plans to introduce tough new laws to hold online outlets accountable for the spread of fake news, joining countries around the world in putting pressure on companies like Facebook Inc. to address the issue.
The new measures will require online sites to show corrections to false or misleading claims and take down falsehoods, according to a bill tabled in Parliament on Monday by the government. Account restriction directions can be issued to a platform to disable a fake account or bot that spreads a falsehood undermining the public interest, the government said in parliament. These directions can be appealed in a court.
