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Singapore individuals or entities if their criticism of the government is regarded as foreign interference. FICA came to full force at the end of 2023 when sections on “politically significant persons” went into effect. Initially, only sections on “hostile information campaigns” were effective from July 7, 2022286, 287. 2023. The Online Safety Code, according to the IMDA, would mitigate the risks from harmful social media content to users in Singapore, particularly children, by requiring these platforms to enhance online safety and curb the spread of harmful content on their services289. On February 1, 2023, the Online Safety (Miscellaneous) Act went into effect after its passage on November 9, 2022. The law grants authorities power to issue directives for social media platforms to disable access to online content considered as “egregious” for users in Singapore, block particular users or accounts from posting such content, or even prevent users in the country from entirely accessing an online platform 288. Following the law’s effectivity, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) issued a Code of Practice for Online Safety (also called the Online Safety Code) on July 18, Also in 2023, the Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA) was passed on July 5 and is due to take effect on February 1, 2024. The act allows the government to order internet service providers and app stores to remove or block access to content suspected of being used to commit crimes related to national security, national harmony, and individual safety290. This law closes the gaps left open by POFMA and FICA to cover an even broader scope of online communication than the Online Safety Act which is limited to social media platforms291, 292. 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 Choo, Daryl. “Foreign Interference Law to Come Into Force From July 7, With Measures Against Local Proxies to Take Effect Later.” TODAY, 6 July 2022, www.todayonline.com/singapore/foreign-interferencelaw-come-force-july-7-measures-against-local-proxies-take-effect-later-1936241. Loh, Renald. “Anti-foreign Interference Law to Come Into Full Force on Dec 29 After Provisions on Local Proxies Take Effect.” TODAY, 12 Dec. 2023, www.todayonline.com/singapore/anti-foreign-interferencelaw-come-full-force-dec-29-after-provisions-local-proxies-take-effect-2323591. Sim, Dewey, and Kimberly Lim. “Singapore’s Online Safety Bill May Be a Double-edged Sword, Analysts Say.” South China Morning Post, 7 Oct. 2022, www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3195087/singaporesonline-safety-bill-may-be-double-edged-sword-say. “IMDA’s Online Safety Code Comes Into Effect.” Infocomm Media Development Authority, 17 July 2023, www.imda.gov.sg/resources/press-releases-factsheets-and-speeches/press-releases/2023/imdas-onlinesafety-code-comes-into-effect. Tham, Davina, and Grace Yeoh. “Parliament Passes Law Targeting Online Content Used for Scams, Malicious Cyber Activity.” CNA, 5 July 2023, www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/online-crimnal-harms-new-lawpassed-scams-malicious-cyber-activity-3607501. Lim, Kimberly. “Singapore Passes Law Cracking Down on Online Content in Scams, Malicious Cyber Activity.” South China Morning Post, 5 July 2023, www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3226679/ singapore-passes-law-cracking-down-online-content-scams-malicious-cyber-activity. Tang, Louisa. “Singapore to Introduce Online Criminal Harms Act Amid ‘Growing International Consensus’ for Such Laws: MHA.” CNA, 27 Feb. 2023, www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-introduceonline-criminal-harms-act-amid-growing-international-consensus-such-laws-mha-3307846. 79

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

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Language

English

Topic

Digital Rights
Digital Surveillance
Information Operation
Internet Connectivity / Accessibility
Internet Restrictions

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DigitalReach

Date Published: Aug 6, 2024

Abstract: It is undeniable that information technology has significantly impacted human rights and democracy these days. Different governments around Southeast Asia continually attempt to control digital space through, for example, using repressive laws and regulations, forcing social media platforms to follow their orders, and using spyware and similar technology to surveil critics. In Southeast Asia, democracy and human rights have deteriorated because of these attempts, especially for countries under authoritarian regimes.

In order to better understand the situation, DigitalReach publishes annual reports to present and analyze the events and trends around the region. The 2023 annual report analyzes the digital rights situation in eight countries across Southeast Asia—namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam–from January 2023 to December 2023, with glimpses of key updates into 2024, given the timing of its release.

The report format has been changed completely from the previous years. In order to more systematically present the developments observed, the report is organized into three key areas: (1) Legal and Policy Developments, (2) Information Control and Manipulation, and (3) Threats Against Critics and Political Opposition.

From a regional perspective, legal and policy developments in countries that are known to restrict human rights are still mainly about using or coming up with new policies to further suppress human rights in the digital sphere. Countries considered to be more democratic also attempt to change or repeal their laws, but still without a clear sign of improvement toward digital rights.

In terms of information control and manipulation, social media platforms continue to be deployed for political ends, with different platforms serving a specific purpose for each country. The shift toward short video format, TikTok in particular, continued from 2022 to contribute toward information disorder, especially during election periods. The use of video shorts is important when targeting young voters, who played an important role in determining election results in Thailand and Indonesia this year like they did in the Philippines and Malaysia in 2022. State-sponsored cyber armies were also documented, while some governments preferred to assert more effective control of social media platforms. Other important methods related to the flow of information include suppression of media freedom and internet disruptions, which are particularly severe in Myanmar following the 2021 coup.

Judicial harassment is a key form of threat used against critics and political opposition in 2023. It is still common for people in Southeast Asia to be thrown in jail for what they say or do online. Others who do not subscribe to the government’s ideology face online harassment from state-sponsored cyber armies or government supporters. In terms of surveillance, 5 out of 8 countries included in this report have been found to have or are likely to have spyware technology.

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2023-Annual-Report-FINAL-1.pdf
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Myanmar Internet Project

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

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