Singapore invokes fake news law over facebook post

A significant development!

On October 15, 2020, Singapore invoked its fake news law, known as the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), to order Facebook to correct a post that the government deemed to be false.

The post in question was published by a Facebook user and claimed that the Singaporean government had secretly vaccinated some citizens without their consent. The government alleged that the post was false and caused harm to the country's reputation.

Under POFMA, the government can order online platforms to correct or remove content that it deems to be false or misleading. The law also allows the government to fine individuals and companies up to SGD 20,000 (approximately USD 14,500) for failing to comply with the correction orders.

In this case, the government ordered Facebook to correct the post by adding a note stating that the claim was false and that there was no evidence to support it. Facebook has since complied with the order.

This is not the first time that Singapore has invoked POFMA. The law was introduced in 2019 to combat the spread of false information online, and it has been used several times since then to correct or remove content that the government deems to be false or misleading.

The use of POFMA has raised concerns about freedom of speech and the potential for government overreach. Critics argue that the law is too broad and could be used to silence dissenting voices or suppress information that is critical of the government.

However, the Singaporean government has defended the law, saying that it is necessary to protect the country's reputation and prevent the spread of false information that could cause harm to individuals and society.

This development highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding online misinformation and the role of governments in regulating online content.