02/12/2019

Facebook gives way to Singapore’s ‘fake news’ law

Update 28 Oct 2021: Zuckerberg vows metaverse will have privacy, parental controls

Mr Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive officer of Meta, formerly called Facebook, pledged that the metaverse, the futuristic immersive reality platform he envisions for the coming decade, will have privacy standards, parental controls and disclosures about data use that his social network has famously lacked.

Speaking during the live-streamed Connect event on Thursday (Oct 28), he gave examples of privacy and safety controls that would be needed in the metaverse, such as the ability to block someone from appearing in your space.

Mr Zuckerberg is betting that the metaverse will be the next big computing platform, calling it "the successor to the mobile Internet".



Facebook Won’t Read Your Messages

WhatsApp has introduced it’s new privacy policy. It basically says that the company will be sharing data with Facebook and that users will have till 8 February 2021 to agree on the new terms. If they don’t agree with this new policy, they’ll no longer be able to use Whatsapp.

This has obviously got many people understandably worried, thinking that the app would be able to access your private messages and send them to Facebook.

However, the company has stepped in to clear things up. On 12 Jan, WhatsApp released a tweet regarding some of these concerns:
  • WhatsApp cannot see your private messages or hear your calls and neither can Facebook.
  • The app keeps logs of who everyone is messaging or calling.
  • It cannot see your shared location and neither can Facebook.
  • WhatsApp does not share your contacts with Facebook.
  • Group chats remain private.
  • You can set your messages to disappear.
  • You can download your data.


Facebook expresses 'deep concern' after Singapore orders page block
Facebook has said the move by the government was "disproportionate"

Facebook has expressed concern after it was ordered by Singapore to block access to a news site's page.

Singapore said the fringe site States Times Review had broken a newly introduced "fake news" law and repeatedly conveyed "falsehoods". Facebook said it was "legally compelled" to comply with the order to block access from Singapore, but said the order was "deeply concern[ing]".

It added that the directive could "stifle freedom of expression".

read more

Facebook blocks States Times Review page from S’pore users

The States Times Review Facebook is dead — to users in Singapore. Facebook has blocked access to the STR page, rendering users in Singapore unable to view the contents of the page.

This was after Facebook was instructed to do so on Monday, Feb. 17 by the office overseeing the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA). Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran directed the POFMA Office to order Facebook to block Singapore users from accessing STR’s page.

The STR Facebook page is owned by Alex Tan, a Singaporean who claims he is now an Australian.


read more

Facebook ordered to disable access to States Times Review Facebook page for Singapore users
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong instructed the Protection from Online Falsehood and Manipulation Act Office to issue corrections against "multiple false statements" in a post that States Times Review put up on Feb 13, 2020.PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM GOV.SG

Facebook has been ordered to disable access for Singapore users to the States Times Review Facebook page, under Singapore's law against fake news.

The move on Monday (Feb 17) came two days after the page became the first online site to be barred from receiving any financial benefit as a Declared Online Location (DOL).

Under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma), online sites can be designated as a DOL after they receive three directions under the law within six months.

read more

Government orders Facebook to disable Singapore users' access to States Times Review page

Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran has directed the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) Office to order Facebook to disable Singapore users' access to the States Times Review (STR) Facebook page.

The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) announced this in a media release on Monday (Feb 17), after the STR Facebook page failed to comply with correction directions it had been served with. "The STR Facebook page has repeatedly conveyed falsehoods and not complied with any of the POFMA directions that it has been served with," said MCI.

STR's Facebook page was designated as a Declared Online Location on Saturday, a day after Health Minister Gan Kim Yong ordered that the page be served a correction direction for a post containing claims about the COVID-19 situation that were "entirely untrue".


read more

Shanmugam rejects States Times Review's application to cancel correction direction: MHA

An application by States Times Review (STR) to cancel a correction direction has been rejected by the Minister of Home Affairs K Shanmugam, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a statement on Friday (Jan 3).

The correction direction was issued on Nov 28, 2019, to Mr Alex Tan Zhi Xiang, a 32-year-old Singaporean who runs the States Times Review website and Facebook page.

"STR’s Application, sent on Jan 1 2020, simply restated the false statements and provided no evidence to disprove the grounds on which the Correction Direction was issued," said MHA.

read more

States Times Review's application to cancel Pofma order rejected; SDP files separate application
A screenshot of the corrections and clarifications regarding falsehoods posted by States Times Review on Facebook.PHOTO: GOV.SG

Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam has rejected an application by the States Times Review (STR) website to cancel a correction notice issued under Singapore's fake news law.

In a statement on Friday (Jan 3), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the application sent on Wednesday had "simply restated the false statements and provided no evidence to disprove the grounds on which the correction direction was issued".

"After having carefully considered the Application, the Minister for Home Affairs has decided to reject it."

read more

Breaking: Issues correction on dissident post

Facebook has yielded to Singapore’s “fake news” law by issuing a correction on a controversial post by States Times Review, after its dissident editor refused to comply with a government order.

The correction on the “offending” Facebook post is visible on the bottom, under the article title, as of Saturday afternoon for Facebook users in Singapore. The notice reads: “Facebook is legally required to tell you that the Singapore government says this post has false information.”

However, the notice did not appear during attempts to access the post abroad, from Indonesia, Australia, and the US.

related: S'pore tells Facebook to change post after dissident editor refuses to comply

read more

Fake news law invoked for 2nd time in 4 days, States Times Review directed to correct Facebook post
A screenshot of the corrections and clarifications regarding falsehoods posted by States Times Review on Facebook.PHOTO: GOV.SG

The person who runs the Facebook page of alternative news site States Times Review was directed on Thursday (Nov 28) under the Republic's fake news law to correct false statements in a post on the page.


This is the second time the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) has been invoked after it was used on Monday in relation to a separate Facebook post by opposition party member Brad Bowyer.


The Pofma Office said on Thursday that it was instructed by Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam to issue a correction direction to Mr Alex Tan Zhi Xiang regarding a post on the States Times Review Facebook page on Nov 23.


related: ST Review told to correct FB post under fake news law, refuses to comply


read more

Facebook bows to pressure from Singapore, tells readers post is 'false'

Facebook says it has issued a correction notice on a user's post at the request of the Singapore government, but called for a measured approach to the implementation of a new "fake news" law in the city-state.

"Facebook is legally required to tell you that the Singapore government says this post has false information," said the notice, which is visible only to Singapore users. The correction label was embedded at the bottom of the original post without any alterations to the text, Facebook said on Saturday.

The Singapore government said on Friday it had instructed Facebook "to publish a correction notice" on a November 23 post which contained accusations about the arrest of a supposed whistleblower and election rigging.

read more

RSF: Government uses “anti-fake news” law to eliminate public debate

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in a statement on Friday, expressed that it is appalled by the totalitarian aspects of Singapore’s new, highly controversial “anti-fake news” law, under which the authorities issued two directives ordering “corrections” to Facebook posts within the space of a week. Below is RSF’s report and comments on the new law and the takedowns.

The “corrections” are posted on a government web page called “Factually” that was up and running as soon as the law, the Protection from Online Falsehood and Manipulation Act (POFMA), took effect in October. This page claims to present the “correct facts” as opposed to what the law calls “online falsehoods and manipulation” and displays each “corrected” item with the word “FALSE” stamped on it in large red letters.

The first directive was sent by the finance minister on 21 November to an opposition politician who had posted a note on Facebook questioning the investments made by two Singaporean sovereign wealth funds. It forced him to post a “Correction notice” at the top of his post with a link to the government web page with the “correct facts.”


Facebook issues first-ever ‘fake news’ correction to user post under pressure from Singapore govt
Silhouettes of laptop users are seen next to a screen projection of Facebook logo in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018. © REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

For the first time, Facebook has given into pressure from Singapore to add a correction notice on a post which officials have deemed “fake news,” shared on the platform by a blogger.

“Facebook is legally required to tell you that the Singapore government says this post has false information,” the notice said, which was embedded at the bottom of the post without any changes to the original text.

The social media giant appended the correction to a post by Australia-based blogger Alex Tan, whose site, the States Times Review, is banned in Singapore. The post in question alleged that members of a local student union had run into trouble with police, which the Ministry of Home Affairs dubbed “false and baseless.”

read more

Facebook urges Singapore government to respect ‘free expression’ as it complies with fake news law
The State Times Review Facebook page. Photo: Screengrab

Facebook on Saturday urged Singapore’s government to respect free expression and implement the country’s new fake news law transparently, after it complied with an order to correct a dissident blogger’s post.

The social media giant attached a label to the November 23 post by the “States Times Review” page that said it was “legally required” to tell users that “the Singapore government says this post has false information”. The notice was linked to an official website outlining the government’s detailed assertions on why the post, wrote by the Australia-based blogger Alex Tan Zhi Xiang, contained false statements of fact.

Screenshots of the label – attached to the end of the Facebook post – was uploaded by local media outlets, but could only be seen by some users of the social media platform.

read more

States Times Review November 23 at 8:05 AM

Facebook is legally required to tell you that the Singapore government says this post has false information.

read more

Singapore's new fake news law
Singapore has just showed the world how it plans to use a controversial new law to tackle what it deems fake news – and critics say it's exactly what they expected would happen

The government took action twice this week on two Facebook posts it claimed contained "false statements of fact", the first uses of the law since it took effect last month.

One offending item was a Facebook post by an opposition politician that questioned the governance of the city-state's sovereign wealth funds and some of their investment decisions. The other post was published by an Australia-based blog that claimed police had arrested a "whistleblower" who "exposed" a political candidate's religious affiliations. In both cases, Singapore officials ordered the accused to include the government's rebuttal at the top of their posts.

The government announcements were accompanied by screenshots of the original posts with the word "FALSE" stamped in giant letters across them. When introducing the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) earlier this year, the Singaporean government said it was necessary to stop dangerous disinformation and hateful content.

read more

Ordered by Singapore, Facebook Posts a Correction

Facebook Inc. has added a “correction notice” to a post that Singapore authorities alleged contains false information, becoming the first technology company to comply with a new law the government says is meant to curb fake news. Appearing near the bottom of a post from earlier this month, the notice—which Facebook called a label—reads, “Facebook is legally required to tell you that the Singapore government says this post has false information.”

The government had ordered the notice Friday on the post, which alleges authorities had made a wrongful arrest. The government said no such arrest had been made. With governments world-wide seeking to tackle social media’s darker consequences—concerns range from privacy violations and election interference to killings provoked by misinformation and hate speech—Singapore is testing new terrain in online regulation.

The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, which took effect in October, allows government ministers who deem information false to order correction notices or removal of the material, if they believe that is in the public interest. Officials have said the law applies to statements of fact rather than opinions or criticism, but critics say it could be used to suppress political rivals and chill free speech. They note that it is the government that will decide whether something is true or not, as well as what is in the public interest.

read more

Facebook issues post 'correction' after Singapore's demand
Singapore's law is the first to demand that Facebook publish corrections when directed to do so by the government [Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters]

Facebook has published a correction note on a user's post following a demand from Singapore, the first time a tech giant has complied with the city-state's law against misinformation.

The Singapore government said on Friday it had instructed Facebook "to publish a correction notice" on a November 23 post which contained accusations about the arrest of a supposed whistle-blower and election rigging.

Singapore, which is expected to call a general election within months, said the allegations were "false" and "scurrilous" and initially ordered user Alex Tan, who runs the States Times Review blog, to issue the correction notice on the post.

related: Unliked - Singapore orders Facebook to correct user's post

read more

Facebook bowed to a Singapore government order to brand a news post as false

Facebook added a correction notice to a post by a fringe news site that Singapore’s government said contained false information. It’s the first time the government has tried to enforce a new law against ‘fake news’ outside its borders.

The post by fringe news site States Times Review (STR), contained “scurrilous accusations” according to the Singapore government. The States Times Review post contained accusations about the arrest of an alleged whistleblower and election-rigging.

Singapore authorities had previously ordered STR editor Alex Tan to correct the post but the Australian citizen said he would “not comply with any order from a foreign government”.

read more

Facebook labels a post as false to obey Singapore misinformation law

Facebook has voluntarily labeled fake news and other misinformation for a while, but in Singapore it now doesn't have much choice. The social site has labeled a November 23rd post as containing "false information" to obey a Singapore law meant to curb the spread of fake info. The government claimed that Australian citizen and States Times Review blog owner Alex Tan had made "false" and "scurrilous" claims surrounding election rigging and the arrest of a purported whistleblower. Tan had initially refused the order and is now under investigation, although there may not be much Singapore can do when Tan doesn't live in the city-state.

In a statement to Reuters, Facebook didn't outright object to the law but did worry about the potential to abuse this law. "We hope the Singapore government's assurances that it will not impact free expression will lead to a measured and transparent approach to implementation," a spokesman said. The law has drawn concerns over not just its political implications, but its scope. It applies even to posts made from outside Singapore, and a refusal to comply could lead to as much as a 10-year prison sentence or a S$1 million (about $731,100 US) fine.

Facebook is no stranger to blocking content that violates local laws, but this is the first time it's been ordered to post a correction under such a law. As such, many are watching closely. Will this discourage fake news peddlers, or will it be misused to tarnish critics of the government? The definition of what's false isn't always clear, and laws like this could be easily misused if there's room for different interpretations.


read more

Facebook Adds Disclaimer to a User’s Post Under Singapore Fake News Law
Facebook published a correction on a user's post Saturday following a demand from Singapore, the first time a tech giant has complied with the city-state's law against misinformation

Authorities had ordered the social media giant to correct a post promoting an article on a fringe news site containing "scurrilous accusations" of election rigging, ramping up their use of a controversial law against misinformation. The law gives ministers powers to tell platforms to put warnings next to posts they deem false, but that activists fear could be used to curb free speech.

A post by Alex Tan -- who runs anti-government website the States Times Review -- had a correction notice placed below it after a government request, Facebook confirmed. On Thursday authorities had ordered Tan to put up a correction next to his November 23 post on elections. But Tan -- who is based overseas -- refused, saying he is an Australian citizen and would not comply with requests from a "foreign government".

But after authorities ordered Facebook to put a correction next to the post, the social media giant said it had complied. The item now appears with a label below it, stating: "Facebook is legally required to tell you that the Singapore government says this post has false information".

read more

Facebook bows to Singapore's 'fake news' law with post 'correction'

It is the first time Facebook has issued such a notice under the city-state's controversial "fake news" law. Singapore claimed the post, by fringe news site States Times Review (STR), contained "scurrilous accusations".

The note issued by the social media giant said it "is legally required to tell you that the Singapore government says this post has false information". Facebook's addition was embedded at the bottom of the original post, which was not altered. It was only visible to social media users in Singapore.

In an emailed statement to the BBC, Facebook said it had applied a label to a post "determined by the Singapore government to contain false information", as required under the "fake news" law.

read more

Facebook : issues correction notice under Singapore fake news law

Facebook has issued a correction notice for a post for the first time at the request of the Singapore authorities under a new fake news law.

The post in question had been published on the platform by the States Times Review and on Saturday the notice could be seen at the bottom of the original post:
"Facebook is legally required to tell you that the Singapore government says this post has false information."
The digital giant was forced to issue the correction after the Singapore Government ordered the State's Times Review to correct a post but the publication did not comply.

read more

Facebook issues corrective label on user’s post under new Singapore fake news law
Attendees walk past a Facebook logo during Facebook’s F8 developers conference in San Jose, California, April 30, 2019

Facebook said on Saturday it had issued a correction notice on a user’s post at the request of the Singapore government, but called for a measured approach to the implementation of a new “fake news” law in the city-state.

“Facebook is legally required to tell you that the Singapore government says this post has false information,” said the notice, which is visible only to Singapore users.

The correction label was embedded at the bottom of the original post without any alterations to the text.

read more

FB issues 1st 'fake news' correction notice at Singapore's order

Facebook has issued its first-ever correction notice on a post after it was instructed by the Singapore government to correct what officials deemed "fake news".

The correction, added to a post by Australia-based blogger Alex Tan, was placed at the bottom without altering the content of the post.

The is the second use of the country's new "fake news" law.

read more

Facebook issues corrective label on user's post under new Singapore fake news law

Facebook (FB.O) said on Saturday it had issued a correction notice on a user’s post at the request of the Singapore government, but called for a measured approach to the implementation of a new “fake news” law in the city-state.

“Facebook is legally required to tell you that the Singapore government says this post has false information,” said the notice, which is visible only to Singapore users.


The correction label was embedded at the bottom of the original post without any alterations to the text.


read more


Facebook told to publish correction notice for States Times Review's post under fake news law after site's editor refuses to comply

Mr Alex Tan, the editor of States Times Review, refused on Thursday to comply with an order by the Pofma Office to correct false statements in the post.PHOTOS: ST FILE, GOV.SG

Tech giant Facebook was directed on Friday (Nov 29) under the Republic's fake news law to publish a correction notice for a post by website States Times Review on its page on the social media platform.


This is the first time the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) is being invoked on an Internet platform.


Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam instructed the Pofma Office on Friday to issue a targeted correction direction to Facebook.


read more


Singapore orders Facebook to correct article
Facebook is a major investor in Singapore

Authorities in Singapore have ordered Facebook to correct an article on a fringe news site containing "scurrilous accusations" of election rigging. The order comes under a controversial law against misinformation.

The social media giant, which has previously expressed concerns about the legislation, did not respond to requests for comment and the article was still on the site without any changes.

The order is a test of the new law, which gives ministers powers to tell platforms to put warnings next to posts authorities deem false, but which activists fear could be used to curb free speech.

read more

Facebook posts corrected under Singapore 'fake news' law
A post on the Singaporean government website said the STR post contained false statements

Singapore has ordered a fringe news site to correct a post made on its Facebook page, under a controversial "fake news" law.

It is the second time in less than a week that the law - which was passed earlier this year - has been invoked. The government said a post by the States Times Review (STR) contained "false statements of fact".

But the STR editor, Alex Tan, said he would "not comply with any order from a foreign government". Mr Tan said he was an Australian citizen and had not received any "request from the Australian police to take down any article".

read more

Facebook takes down page that misleadingly quoted Shanmugam for violating community guidelines
NUS Students United (NSU) used a quote from Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam to assert that Ms Rachel Ong Sin Yen, a new face in the People’s Action Party, should resign from her executive positions with Rohei Learning and Consulting — an organisation that NSU said has “religious leanings” — if she wishes to run for the next General Election

Facebook removed the NUSSU — NUS Students United (NSU) page on Saturday (Nov 23) for violating its authenticity policies, a day after it was called out by the press secretary to Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam for misleadingly quoting the minister.

The page was removed as it was found to be run by fake accounts, a Facebook spokesperson said on Sunday in response to TODAY’s queries. “We have removed the fake accounts, causing the page to be unpublished,” the spokesperson said. “This was the reason for the page being unpublished, not (because of the) content that was posted on the page.”

Facebook’s authenticity policy states, among other things, that it requires people to connect on Facebook using the name that they go by in everyday life because it believes that people are more accountable for their statements and actions when they use their real identities. “In line with our commitment to authenticity, we don’t allow people to misrepresent themselves on Facebook, use fake accounts, artificially boost the popularity of content or engage in behaviours designed to enable other violations under our community standards,” the policy states.

read more

Facebook takes down fake NUS student group page accused of ‘sowing discord’ by Shanmugam’s press secretary

A post uploaded on Nov 17 by a Facebook page named NUSSU – NUS Students United "misleadingly quoted" Mr Shanmugam, says the minister's press secretary

Facebook has removed a fake National University of Singapore (NUS) student group page that was accused of “sowing discord” and misquoting the Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam.

In response to queries, a spokesperson for the social media network said on Sunday (Nov 24) that the NUSSU - NUS Students United page had violated its “authenticity policies”. The NUS Students’ Union said on Sunday afternoon that the Facebook page had “misused the union’s name to post controversial and misleading articles”.

On Friday, Mr Shanmugam’s press secretary Goh Chour Thong said the people behind the Facebook page have “no integrity” and are “bent on sowing discord and hatred”.

read more

NUSSU — NUS Students United misleadingly quoted Shanmugam, says press secretary

In his speech in Parliament on Oct 7, Mr K Shanmugam said: “We have got to look at these things with care and without a party lens, to decide on what is good for Singapore. We must handle these issues with sensibility, care and wisdom.”

The press secretary to Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam has called out a Facebook post by NUSSU — NUS Students United (NSU) for misleadingly quoting Mr Shanmugam in order to give a false impression of what he had actually said.

The NSU post features a chart which describes a Rachel Ong Sin Yen as a new face in the People’s Action Party as well as the chief executive officer of Rohei Learning and Consulting. On the chart is a quote by Mr Shanmugam which reads: “If we do not separate religion from politics, then whose religion comes into politics?”

Below the chart is a statement which reads: “If Ms Ong wishes to run for elections, she must resign all executive positions with Rohei, an organisation with religious leanings.”

read more

NUS Students' Union about a week ago

[NUSSU EXCO - CLARIFICATION OF OFFICIAL NUSSU COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS]

NUS Students' Union Executive Committee (NUSSU EXCO) notes that there was a Facebook page which misused the Union’s name to post controversial and misleading articles, that has since been taken down. NUSSU EXCO would like to clarify that this page or its content is not affiliated to NUS and/or the Students' Union.

While NUSSU EXCO places a strong emphasis on student opinions to ensure a conducive and enriching university experience, we want to protect the interest and safety of our students by ensuring accurate and factual representation of such opinions. As such, we established a media relations team this academic year to stay on top of online sentiments and ongoing matters within and beyond our campuses.

read more

Deactivated NUSSU – Students United page admins strongly disagree with allegations by K Shan’s press secretary that they are ‘anti-religious’

Last weekend, Facebook removed the NUSSU – NUS Students United Facebook page. The tech giant said that the page was removed as it violated the platforms “authenticity policies”.

Following a post of theirs going viral, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam’s press secretary, Goh Chour Tong released a statement alleging that the people behind the page are “anti-religious” and are “bent on sowing hatred and discord”.

The people behind the page responded that they strongly disagree with those allegations, adding that “No reasonable or right thinking person would come to the conclusion that Press Secretary Goh came to.”

read more

Minister of Home Affairs Press Secretary refutes ‘misleading post’ by NUSSU Facebook group
Shanmugam shared the statement on his Facebook page on the same evening

The Press Secretary to the Minister of Home Affairs, Goh Chour Thong, issued a statement in the evening of Nov. 22 in response to Facebook posts by NUSSU – NUS Students United.

He said that NUSSU had “misleadingly” quoted Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam in their graphic to give a “false impression” of what he said. NUSSU is not the official Facebook group of NUS’s actual Students’ Union, nor its affiliates.

They also shared a quote from the late Lee Kuan Yew, said at the 1987 National Day Rally.

read more

4 PAP new faces touch on need to build trust, ensure inclusivity and social mobility
For Ms Rachel Ong Sin Yen, 47, volunteering with the PAP continues a family tradition started by her uncles and father. The chief executive of consultancy firm Rohei, who is with the PAP's Telok Blangah branch, also set up Trybe, an organisation that helps at-risk youth

Trybe runs three entities - the Singapore Boys' Hostel, a youth probation institution, as well as a Community Rehabilitation Centre for first-time drug abusers, and Trybe Aftercare.

"We work with very marginalised children and the youth. We also work with their parents to help them rehabilitate and become contributing citizens again," she said.

Asked if she will run in the coming general election and potentially replace former Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang - she helps out in his ward - Ms Ong laughed and said: "I think that's a party decision". Mr Lim retired from the Cabinet in May 2018.

read more

No policy “that prohibits alleged falsehoods”: Facebook on refusal to remove States Times Review post
Facebook social media app logo on log-in, sign-up registration page on mobile app screen on iPhone smart devices in business person's hand at work from Shutterstock.com

Following its refusal to take down a post by States Times Review (STR) which contained allegations of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), social media giant Facebook has revealed the reason behind its course of action.

Responding to queries from Channel NewsAsia, a spokesperson for Facebook said: “We have a responsibility to handle any government request to restrict alleged misinformation carefully and thoughtfully, consistent with our approach to government requests around the world.

The spokesperson added: “We do not have a policy that prohibits alleged falsehoods, apart from in situations where this content has the potential to contribute to imminent violence or physical harm.”

read more

Facebook Lectures Singapore – Here’s Why We Refused To Take Down A Post Linking PM Lee To 1MDB Corruption

That would leave the article to hate speech. Even then, Facebook’s hate speech is defined as a direct attack on people based on nine protected characteristics, which include national origin, sexual orientation and caste. Therefore, Facebook could not entertain Singapore’s request to bring down the post criticizing – even accusing – PM Lee of corruption.

At the media session, Ms Bickert also reiterated that Facebook does not have a wholesale policy of removing false content because it would be extremely hard to police whether a specific piece of information is true or false. Furthermore, a private company such as Facebook is in no position to determine whether the content is true or otherwise.

More importantly, Facebook’s policies must be fair and impartial in order to produce consistent outcomes across different users in various parts of the world. Ms Bickert further lectured – “We don’t want policies to apply to certain people but not others. We want everybody around the globe to use Facebook and use it safely.”

read more

Facebook will remove false information 'only if it leads to voter suppression, or threat of violence'
Fending off criticism by the Singapore Government over its handling of a Facebook post spreading misinformation, the social networking giant on Tuesday (Nov 13) stood by its policies which have to be "very objective and black-and-white"

Under its existing policy, Facebook will remove inaccurate information circulating on its platform only if it leads to voter suppression, or poses a threat of imminent violence. Ms Monika Bickert, vice-president of Facebook’s product policy division, said that its content guidelines need to have “clear lines”, so that its team of 7,500 content reviewers can make a decision on whether to take down a post.

Ms Bickert was in town for the first-ever forum in Asia-Pacific on Facebook’s community standards. At a media session, she responded to questions from reporters asking about Facebook’s decision not to take down a post by States Times Review — an alternative news site — which linked Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to the corruption scandal involving Malaysia’s state fund 1MDB.

She stressed the need for Facebook's policies to be equitable, and to produce consistent outcomes across different users in various parts of the world. “We don’t want policies to apply to certain people but not others. We want everybody around the globe to use Facebook and use it safely," she added.

read more

Facebook cannot be relied upon to filter falsehoods, says Law Ministry

Facebook has declined to take down a post by the States Times Review linking Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with the 1MDB investigations, said the Ministry of Law on Friday (Nov 9) night.


Their stance shows that the social media platform "cannot be relied upon to filter falsehoods or protect Singapore from a false information campaign", the ministry added.


"Facebook has declined to take down a post that is clearly false, defamatory & attacks Singapore, using falsehoods.


read more


Facebook refuses Singapore request to remove post after critical website blocked
STR articles on its Facebook page remained available

Facebook has rejected a Singapore government request to remove a post of an online article that the government said was "false and malicious", prompting its Law Ministry to say the case illustrated the need to introduce legislation to stop fake news.


Singapore's central bank said on Friday it had filed a police report against an online article by an Australia-based independent blogger about Singapore banks and Malaysia's scandal-linked 1MDB state fund.


Web access in Singapore to the website of the States Times Review (STR) has been blocked by internet service providers as directed by Singapore's telecom and media regulator IMDA, which said it had determined the website carried prohibited content.


read more


‘We do not have a policy that prohibits alleged falsehoods’: Facebook on why it did not take down States Times Review post


Social media giant Facebook on Tuesday (Nov 13) explained why it did not accede to Singapore authorities’ request to take down a States Times Review post linking Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with 1MDB investigations.


“We have a responsibility to handle any government request to restrict alleged misinformation carefully and thoughtfully, consistent with our approach to government requests around the world. We do not have a policy that prohibits alleged falsehoods, apart from in situations where this content has the potential to contribute to imminent violence or physical harm,” a Facebook spokesman said in response to queries from Channel NewsAsia.


The Facebook post shared an article alleging that Malaysia had signed several unfair agreements with Singapore in exchange for Singapore banks’ assistance in laundering 1MDB funds.


read more


No policy “that prohibits alleged falsehoods”: Facebook on refusal to remove States Times Review post


Following its refusal to take down a post by States Times Review (STR) which contained allegations of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), social media giant Facebook has revealed the reason behind its course of action.


Responding to queries from Channel NewsAsia, a spokesperson for Facebook said: "We have a responsibility to handle any government request to restrict alleged misinformation carefully and thoughtfully, consistent with our approach to government requests around the world. The spokesperson added: "We do not have a policy that prohibits alleged falsehoods, apart from in situations where this content has the potential to contribute to imminent violence or physical harm." Vice president of product policy at Facebook Monika Bicker told reporters at a roundtable on Tuesday (13 Nov) that “We don’t have a policy of removing false content. We will generally try to counter the virality and surface educational content.


"There are those two exceptions, where it’s very tied to voter suppression or the imminent threat of physical violence in the offline world." She elaborated: "Other than that, I will say that we do have a process through which governments can submit (something) to us if they think that something violates their laws and we have dialogues with governments back and forth on that. "We have a legal team that analyses those requests and then we publish the results of those requests and whether we have removed content - we publish that in a report that we put out every six months," she concluded.


read more


Facebook: We delete falsehoods, not alleged falsehoods


In a response to state media Straits Times over their decision to decline Singapore’s request to ban States Times Review, a Facebook spokesperson clarified that the social media company deletes only proven falsehoods, not alleged falsehoods:

“We have a responsibility to handle any government request to restrict alleged misinformation carefully and thoughtfully, and that this is consistent with its approach to government requests elsewhere. Facebook does not have a policy that prohibits alleged falsehoods, apart from in situations where this content has the potential to contribute to imminent violence or physical harm.”
Singapore’s independent news blog States Times Review was threatened by the Singapore government after it publishes an article pointing out the “secret deals” between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and former Malaysian PM Najib Razak.

read more


Facebook refuses Singapore request to remove 'malicious' 1MDB post

Facebook did not respond to a request for comment

The IMDA asked Facebook to take down a post of the article but "Facebook has indicated that they will not accede to IMDA's request", it said in a separate statement on Saturday.


Singapore's Ministry of Law said "Facebook has declined to take down a post that is clearly false, defamatory and attacks Singapore, using falsehoods", which illustrated the need to introduce legislation fighting fake news.


"FB (Facebook) cannot be relied upon to filter falsehoods or protect Singapore from a false information campaign," it said in a statement.


read more

Here’s Why We Refused To Take Down A Post Linking PM Lee To 1MDB Corruption

Ms Monika Bickert, vice-president of Facebook’s product policy division, said that under its existing policy, Facebook will remove inaccurate information circulating on its platform only if it leads to voter suppression or poses a threat of imminent violence. She gave her feedback while attending the first-ever forum in Asia-Pacific on Facebook’s community standards in Singapore

What this means is there are basically three main categories of content that could possibly violate Facebook standards – hate speech, adult nudity, and dangerous individuals and organisations (terrorism propaganda). Obviously the article published by States Times Review cannot be considered as a violation of adult nudity or terrorism propaganda.


That would leave the article to hate speech. Even then, Facebook’s hate speech is defined as a direct attack on people based on nine protected characteristics, which include national origin, sexual orientation and caste. Therefore, Facebook could not entertain Singapore’s request to bring down the post criticizing – even accusing – PM Lee of corruption.


At the media session, Ms Bickert also reiterated that Facebook does not have a wholesale policy of removing false content because it would be extremely hard to police whether a specific piece of information is true or false. Furthermore, a private company such as Facebook is in no position to determine whether the content is true or otherwise.


read more

Singapore’s fake news law: protecting the truth, or restricting free debate?
Singapore first used the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act on November 25, against opposition politician Brad Bowyer. Photo: AFP

In May, as Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s top ministers took turns in parliament to hammer home just why they thought the country needed a new law to fight “fake news” despite reservations from activists and academics, the opposition leader rose to dampen their parade.

Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh said his party would not back the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) over fears that it could be used as a “proverbial Damocles sword” against those who “do not support the government’s narrative or toe the government’s line”. Still, the law was easily passed because of the parliamentary supermajority held by Lee’s People’s Action Party (PAP) for decades.

K. Shanmugam, the home and law minister who vigorously campaigned to beat back local and international criticism of the law, said at the time that free speech proponents had little to worry about as Pofma only targeted “falsehoods”, “bots”, “trolls” and “fake accounts”.

related:
Singapore’s fake news law: a lesson to Asia in stifling dissent?
Spore’s opposition calls fake-news bill a ‘Damocles sword’ hanging over the public

read more

POFMA, a blank cheque for the government to defame?

Just last week, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issued three correction orders under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), upon Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) over three online postings made by the party.

MOM claims that the posts and article from SDP contained “a misleading graphic and false statements of fact”. SDP is required to carry the correction notice at the top of both Facebook posts and the article on its website, which it has done. SDP has also followed the correction notice with a statement of its own saying that while it is complying with the order, the party will also be applying to cancel the correction direction.

The full correction by MOM is posted on the government’s fact-correction site ‘Factually’.

read more

Brad Bowyer: Can the govt answer citizens’ questions without having to revert to POFMA

Singapore demographic data states that as of end 2018, we had 3,994,382 local residents.

Of which 3,471,936 were classified as citizens and 522,347 or just over 13% as permanent residents. That was out of a total population of 5,638,676.

To start with that made nearly 38.5% of our population foreign (it is worse now), one of the highest in the world – which on its own – brings with it many societal and cultural pressures, but today I wish to explore the question of Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMET’s).

related: Teo Soh Lung: Who will be the next victim of POFMA?

read more

Full Coverage:
FB urges Spore to respect free speech as it complies with fake news law
Facebook labels a post as false to obey Singapore misinformation law
Singapore's new fake news law 'used to suppress opposition'
Ordered by Singapore, Facebook Posts a Correction
Singapore orders Facebook to label user’s post ‘fake news’ under new law
Facebook Adds Disclaimer to a User’s Post Under Spore Fake News Law
Facebook posts first 'correction' in Singapore
Facebook issues post 'correction' after Singapore's demand
Singapore demands Facebook corrections
Facebook bows to Singapore's 'fake news' law with post 'correction'
FB bowed to a Spore government order to brand a news post as false
Facebook flags user post in Singapore, under new 'fake news' law there
Facebook issues correction notice on States Times Review's post
FB issues corrective label on user's post under new Spore fake news law
Facebook issues fake news correction notice on States Times Review post
Facebook issues fake news correction notice on user's post
FB gives way to Spore ‘fake news’ law, issues correction on dissident post
Facebook corrects post under Singapore disinformation law
Facebook issues first correction notice at Singapore’s request
FB issues 1st-ever ‘fake news’ correction pressure from Spore gov
Facebook corrects user's post under new Singapore fake news law
FB labels Australian Alex Tan’s post ‘fake news’ under new Spore laws
Facebook issues first correction notice at Singapore's request
Facebook issues fake news correction notice on user's post
Facebook Caught in Crossfire of Singapore’s ‘Fake News’ Law
Spore Gov Asks FB to Correct User's Post Under New Fake News Law
Blogger tests S'pore's fake news law by refusing to obey correction order
Blogger tests Spore Gov’s fake news law by rebuffing correction order
Blogger tests Singapore's fake news law by rebuffing correction order
Website editor defies order to correct Facebook post
Gov directs FB to run correction on STR post,after owner's non-compliance
STR editor refuses to obey correction order under fake news law
Singapore orders Facebook to comply with fake news law
FB instructed by POFMA Office to publish correction notice on STR's post
FB told to publish correction for STR's post after site's editor refuses comply
PSP member in first Pofma case considering appeal
STR told to correct Facebook post under fake news law, refuses to comply
FB told to correct STR's post, Pofma Office investigating website's editor
Singapore tells Facebook to correct user’s post under new ‘fake news’ law
STR directed to correct Facebook post under online falsehoods law
POFMA Office issues correction notice to Facebook over STReview post
Singapore tells Facebook to correct post under new fake news law
Singapore tells Facebook to correct user's post in test of 'fake news' laws
Facebook Caught in Crossfire of Singapore’s ‘Fake News’ Law
Singapore blogger defies gov't order on 'fake news' correction
Facebook posts corrected under Singapore 'fake news' law
Singapore forces people to edit Facebook posts under 'fake news' law
POFMA invoked 2nd time this week—STR to correct FB post about PAP
2nd correction order issued under POFMA, this time to Alex Tan of STR
Gov directs STR correct FB post containing falsehoods; 2nd order in 4 days
Fake news law: Correction notice issued to States Times Review
Singapore tells Facebook to correct user's post under new 'fake news' law
Fake news law invoked 2nd time in 4 days, STR directed to correct FB post

ST Review told to correct FB post under fake news law,refuses to comply
States Times Review directed to correct FB post under online falsehoods law
Fake news law: Correction notice issued to States Times Review
2nd correction order issued under POFMA to Alex Tan of States Times Review
Gov directs STR correct FB post containing falsehoods;2nd order in 4 days
Factually

Facebook posts corrected under Singapore 'fake news' law
Fake news law invoked for 2nd time in 4 days,STR directed to correct FB post

STR told to correct Facebook post under fake news law,refuses to comply
Singapore uses 'fake news' law against misinformation for first time
Singapore invokes 'fake news' law for first time over Facebook post
Singapore invokes 'fake news' law for first time
Singapore invokes ‘fake news’ law for first time over Facebook post
Singapore issues first correction order under 'fake news' law

Singapore uses law against misinformation for first time
Singapore invokes 'fake news' law for first time over Facebook post
Singapore invokes 'fake news' law for first time over Facebook post
Singapore uses law against misinformation | Article
Singapore invokes fake news law for first time over Facebook post
Fake news law used for 1st time over PSP member's FB post
POFMA directs Brad Bowyer to correct FB post in 1st use of 'fake news' law
Gov invokes fake news law for 1st time, opposition Brad Bowyer to correct FB
Factually
Gov invokes fake-news laws for 1st time,opposition member directed to correct
Brad Bowyer corrects FB post on Temasek & GIC after gov invokes fake news law
Correction order issued under POFMA for statements made by politician in FB
Brad Bowyer: "When questions arise just asserting something is false


related:
Man charged in court instead of being POFMAed
Cases where POFMA has been invoked
5th case where Pofma has been invoked
First challenge against POFMA fake news law
Singapore rebuts Foreign Media on fake news law
Tis the season to be #POFMA-ed
3 Instances Of POFMA Invoked
POFMA fake news law invoked for first time
PM Lee: “POFMA would catch you!”
K Shanmugam to ‘Ah Lian’: POFMA is like a Torchlight
Singapore's fake news law passed
Singapore introduces anti-fake news law
Singapore PM sues online editor
Singapore PM threatens online editor with libel
PM Lee sues Blogger for sharing article
MDA tells The Online Citizen to register under Broadcasting Act
Mothership.sg To Register Under Broadcasting Act
Blogger asked to remove defamatory post about PM Lee
"Can we love our Country and fear at the same time?”
The 'Dr Mahathir-Activists KL Meeting' Saga
States Times Review to shut down
Thumping of PJ Thum over ‘fake news’ hearing
Parliamentary committee on Fake News
Law to combat fake news to be introduced next year
Combating fake news in Singapore

Fakes and Frauds
Singapore public servants' computers no Internet from May 2017