Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill - Cai Yinzhou

Reposted from Source: MDDI Singapore (05 November 2025 - 7:12 PM)

Source: MDDI Singapore

Full Transcript

Mr Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise today in support of the Online Safety Bill.

A recent survey by MDDI found that in the past year, more than four in five Singapore residents encountered harmful online content across platforms, like Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, TikTok, X, Reddit, Telegram and WhatsApp. This highlights a clear and urgent need to enhance current mechanisms for help seeking relief.

The Bill is, therefore, a crucial and timely step to ensure that the safety and civility we value in the physical world, on our streets, extend to our digital lives. An anecdote that Minister Edwin Tong had alluded to as well.

An Institute of Policy Studies survey found that sexual content depicting voyeuristic or intimate images recorded without consent was overwhelmingly perceived as the most severe of online harms. Victims need fast action. The current reality, as an IMDA report revealed, is that major platforms often took five days or more to act appropriately on user reports of harmful content. For a victim whose intimate images have been non-consensually recorded and distributed publicly, five days can be catastrophic. 

I am, therefore, concerned about the need for timely relief and clarity of the administrative process for victims of online harm. 

The Bill rightly grants the Commissioner wide discretion to carry out its own investigation and empowers to issue legally enforceable directions to take down content and restrict accounts.

I understand that it will take time and extensive consultations, after the appointment of the Commissioner and other relevant office holders, to formulate the detailed rules governing how the Commissioner may exercise investigative powers. I, therefore, seek clarification on the Commissioner's investigative process, specifically on the following questions:

Will the Commissioner publish advisory guidelines indicating the expected timelines for the investigation and resolution of a complaint, with processes put in place for urgent investigations to take place? Will the perpetrator being investigated be made aware of the investigation, and at what stage? What information will be disclosed to the perpetrator about the complaint made against them?

I understand the Commissioner is already working with SHE in the design of this initiative, including referral to SHECARES@SCWO for counselling and pro bono legal advice.

Will the Commissioner consider engaging other organisations who provide victim care and support, like AWARE's Sexual Assault Care Centre and Project X, to improve trauma-informed processes and joint case management and outreach to encourage more victims, especially those in minority communities, to be assured when seeking help.

For victims under immense stress, clarity on the steps involved for bringing a complaint and the expected time for resolution is vital. With great power holds great responsibility, and the transparency of the process can help reassure and encourage help-seeking efforts.

 Mr Speaker, Sir, I appreciate how this Bill is a product of extensive consultation. A month-long public consultation on the proposed legislation, which received broad public support and directly informed the final Bill. Our citizens have asked for accountability and this Bill delivers.

This legislation strikes a critical balance. It empowers the victim, yet holds the perpetrator accountable, and sets clear expectations for platforms. It is a necessary act of legislative fortitude to protect our citizens in an increasingly complex digital world. Notwithstanding these clarifications, I support the Bill. 

Ms Rahayu Mahzam (Minister of State for Digital Development) (Excerpt): Mr Cai Yinzhou asked about the rules that will govern how the OSC carries out its investigations to determine further action. Each case will be assessed based on the nature and severity of the harm, and investigations will be carried out fairly, working with the relevant agencies to determine the appropriate follow-up actions. The relevant parties will be notified at the appropriate junctures, as the OSRA Bill accords the OSC powers to require documents or information and to examine and secure attendance of persons for investigations.

Ms Rahayu Mahzam (Excerpt): Several Members of Parliament, like Mr Ng Shi Xuan, Dr Wan Rizal, Mr Sharael Taha, Mr Cai Yinzhou and Ms Yeo Wan Ling, have asked or spoken about the OSC's service benchmarks to respond to and resolve cases. Mr David Hoe also suggested laying out the operational process clearly, so victims are aware of the actions to be taken.

We want to ensure that victims get the help they need, as soon as possible. The OSC's response time and corresponding compliance timeline to a direction, will likely be shorter for more severe harms. Practically, some cases may be more easily resolved than others; for example, it may be easier to make out if the harm of intimate image abuse is present, as compared to a report on online harassment. For the latter, the OSC officer will have to go through the details more carefully, to understand the nature and the severity of the case.

Ms Rahayu Mahzam (Excerpt): Mr Sharael Taha, Mr Cai Yinzhou and Mr Henry Kwek suggested ways that the OSC can work with partners in the public and people sector to strengthen victim care and support. Dr Wan Rizal asked whether practical guidelines will be issued to schools, hospitals and care agencies on how to activate the OSC’s remedies. I thank Members for their suggestions. Better support for victims of online harms is at the heart of what this Bill serves to do. 

Firstly, the OSC will work with other Government agencies and community organisations to ensure that victims can access the OSC's reporting mechanism. Secondly, we recognise that OSC remedies may not meet all the needs of victims. Should they require further support as they cope with an incident, OSC will refer cases to its appropriate partners. One such partner is SHE, who partners with the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO) to run SHECARES@SCWO. SHECARES@SCWO is an online harms support centre that provides counselling services and legal assistance if needed. The centre is supported by full time counsellors and volunteers, and offers pro bono legal clinics with the support of Pro Bono SG.  

Link to Hansard: Official Reports - Parliamentary Debates (HANSARD)