Experts stress the importance of recognizing “sleeper websites” that may be primed for future disinformation campaigns.
Following the blocking of 10 fake news sites in Singapore on October 22, experts have highlighted the importance of media literacy in identifying and preventing disinformation. These sites, which appeared authentic by using local terms and imagery, have been described as “sleeper websites” by Associate Professor Eugene Tan of the SMU School of Law. According to Tan, these foreign-controlled sites could be activated for disinformation campaigns at any time, making it crucial for the public to be aware of the risks.
The sites, which included local-sounding domain names and AI-generated content, could easily deceive readers into trusting them. Mr. Benjamin Ang from NTU’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies emphasized that the sites’ seemingly credible news and lifestyle stories could make it difficult for people to distinguish them from legitimate sources. He urged caution when sharing stories, especially those that are emotional or sensitive.
Although these fake sites have not yet launched any attacks against Singapore, their potential to do so remains. The government’s preemptive action in blocking the sites signals their awareness of the threat these websites pose to the country’s social cohesion. Dr. Shashi Jayakumar, executive director of SJK Geostrategic Advisory, noted that if the orchestrators behind these sites choose to escalate their operations, the established trust in these sites could make their disinformation campaigns even more effective.
The move to block these sites, while symbolic, serves as a reminder to the public of the real threats posed by foreign-controlled media outlets that aim to influence public opinion. One of the blocked sites, Alamak.io, was known for publishing misleading articles, including false claims about Singapore’s involvement in biological warfare research. This case exemplifies the danger of seemingly innocuous sites used to spread harmful disinformation.
