SINGAPORE: The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has ordered Meta to review and remove content on Facebook containing child sexual exploitation material (CSEM), the agency said on Friday (Jun 9).
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, took down the offending page and group within 24 hours, according to IMDA.
This is the first time IMDA has notified a social media service of such content, following the amendments to the Broadcasting Act last November to include enhanced online safety requirements.
The police had alerted the agency to a Facebook page that was part of an online network facilitating the sharing of CSEM, where it subsequently uncovered a Facebook group carrying similar posts.
"The posts contained hyperlinks that led viewers to a website with CSEM," said IMDA, adding that it also directed internet service providers in Singapore to block a linked website that enabled access and distribution of similar content.
Parliament passed the Online Safety Act last year, requiring social media sites to block access to harmful content within hours. The law empowers the IMDA to deal with harmful online content accessible to Singapore users, regardless of where the content is hosted or initiated.
The act took effect on Feb 1 this year.
The police and IMDA take a serious view on the solicitation and distribution of CSEM, which is a type of egregious content as defined under the amended Broadcasting Act.
Other forms of content that fall under the ambit of this law include those advocating terrorism, suicide and self-harm, as well as content posing a public health risk or those likely to cause racial and religious disharmony in Singapore.
IMDA said it would not hesitate to issue directions to social media services if they do not swiftly detect and remove egregious content on their platforms.
"Social media services, too, have a responsibility to ensure online safety for all users, particularly children.
"We recognise that the industry has taken active steps in recent years to combat harmful online content on social media, and urge social media services to remain vigilant in detecting and preventing the dissemination of harmful online content through their platforms and services," said the agency.
IMDA added it would continue to work closely with social media services to enhance Singapore’s online safety.
Continue reading...
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, took down the offending page and group within 24 hours, according to IMDA.
This is the first time IMDA has notified a social media service of such content, following the amendments to the Broadcasting Act last November to include enhanced online safety requirements.
The police had alerted the agency to a Facebook page that was part of an online network facilitating the sharing of CSEM, where it subsequently uncovered a Facebook group carrying similar posts.
"The posts contained hyperlinks that led viewers to a website with CSEM," said IMDA, adding that it also directed internet service providers in Singapore to block a linked website that enabled access and distribution of similar content.
Parliament passed the Online Safety Act last year, requiring social media sites to block access to harmful content within hours. The law empowers the IMDA to deal with harmful online content accessible to Singapore users, regardless of where the content is hosted or initiated.
The act took effect on Feb 1 this year.
Related:
The police and IMDA take a serious view on the solicitation and distribution of CSEM, which is a type of egregious content as defined under the amended Broadcasting Act.
Other forms of content that fall under the ambit of this law include those advocating terrorism, suicide and self-harm, as well as content posing a public health risk or those likely to cause racial and religious disharmony in Singapore.
IMDA said it would not hesitate to issue directions to social media services if they do not swiftly detect and remove egregious content on their platforms.
"Social media services, too, have a responsibility to ensure online safety for all users, particularly children.
"We recognise that the industry has taken active steps in recent years to combat harmful online content on social media, and urge social media services to remain vigilant in detecting and preventing the dissemination of harmful online content through their platforms and services," said the agency.
IMDA added it would continue to work closely with social media services to enhance Singapore’s online safety.
Continue reading...