Government to Tackle Social Media Manipulation with FICA and POFMA in Upcoming GE
Singapore’s government will invoke the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) and the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) to combat any social media manipulation during the upcoming General Election (GE), scheduled by November 2025. This was announced by Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling in Parliament on 5 February 2025.
Government Prepared to Use FICA Against Foreign Interference
Ms. Sun Xueling highlighted that any manipulation of social media algorithms by foreign entities to influence Singapore’s politics will trigger action under FICA. The law targets hostile information campaigns, especially those aimed at affecting voter behavior during elections.
POFMA Will Counter Election Misinformation
The government will also deploy POFMA to combat false information that may spread online during the election period. This includes issuing directives to publish factual corrections and removing misleading content that could harm the public interest.
Singapore will work closely with social media companies to ensure adherence to election advertising regulations. The Returning Officer holds the authority to disable or remove any content that violates these rules, ensuring a fair electoral environment.
Responding to Dr. Tan Wu Meng’s inquiry, Ms. Sun explained that if there’s evidence of algorithm manipulation with political intent by foreign actors, the Minister for Home Affairs can implement pre-emptive measures. Singapore also aims to collaborate with academics and tech experts to better understand the evolving digital threat landscape.
Strengthening Legal Frameworks with Anti-Deepfake Laws
In October 2024, Singapore introduced additional legislation to ban deepfake content and other digitally manipulated materials targeting political candidates during the election period. This law acts as a safeguard against misinformation, complementing the enforcement of FICA and POFMA.
These measures reflect the government’s commitment to upholding electoral integrity and countering foreign influence. Voters can expect a more secure online environment during the election, with stricter monitoring of social media content. For international observers, Singapore’s approach sets a precedent for digital election security, emphasizing the need to regulate algorithmic influence and foreign interference. This could impact how global tech companies operate within Singapore’s digital landscape, potentially leading to stricter compliance requirements.
Sources: Singapore Academy of Law, The Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: Singapore, General Election, FICA, POFMA, Social Media, Foreign Interference, Fake News, Misinformation, Election Laws, Sun Xueling, Parliament, Online Regulations, Algorithm Manipulation
