MDDI's Response to PQ on Implementation of Stay-down Measures for Verified Non-consensual Intimate Images and Sexualised Deepfakes under Online Safety Commission Directions and Preventing Global Accessibility

Parliament Sitting on 7 July 2026

Question for Written Answer

48 Miss Rachel Ong asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) whether platforms directed by the Online Safety Commission (OSC) to remove verified non-consensual intimate images, including sexualised deepfakes, will also be required to implement stay-down measures, such as hash-matching, to prevent re-uploads or redistribution by other users; and (b) what powers does OSC have to prevent such content from remaining accessible globally, since access disabling directions only pertain to Singapore end-users.

Answer

Upon receiving a valid report of intimate image abuse, the Commissioner of Online Safety is empowered by law to direct Online Service Providers (OSPs) to disable access by Singapore users to the specified harmful online material. This direction may be extended to cover identical copies found on the platform. The Commissioner will not direct that specific technologies be used as long as the outcome indicated in the direction is achieved; non-compliance with a direction is an offence. While such directions apply only to access by Singapore users, OSPs are not prevented from removing the content from access by other users. However, this decision will be based on their own policies and community guidelines.