Singapore takes proactive measures to block fake websites linked to foreign misinformation efforts
Key Details
No Threshold for Blocking: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) does not set a threshold on a website’s reach or impact when deciding to block websites linked to potential misinformation campaigns, according to Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling. The government aims to prevent foreign actors from using these sites to conduct hostile information campaigns against Singapore.
Blocking of Fake Websites: On October 22, MHA, together with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), ordered the blocking of 10 fake websites that were masquerading as local Singapore sites. These websites were using Singapore-associated terms and visuals in an attempt to mislead users.
Preemptive Action: Despite the low levels of exposure to these sites, the authorities acted quickly to block them, as they were identified as potential tools for foreign actors to launch disinformation campaigns. Some of these websites used artificial intelligence to generate content, adding to their inauthentic nature.
Foreign Actors and Tactics: These websites are associated with global networks known to have conducted similar campaigns in other countries. While the exact sources behind the sites were not disclosed, foreign actors, particularly from Russia and China, have been linked to similar operations.
Public Vigilance: MHA emphasized the need for the public to remain aware of potential disinformation and highlighted the risks of circumventing these blocks via tools like VPNs. The government made it clear that while it can block harmful content, individuals who choose to bypass these measures do so at their own risk.
