SINGAPORE: Singapore will block nearly 100 social media accounts linked to exiled Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui that it believes could launch hostile information campaigns here.
It is the first use of account restriction directions under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) since the law was passed in October 2021.
Five social media platforms — X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok — have been directed to block a total of 95 online accounts from being accessible to Singapore users, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Friday (Jul 19).
There is no evidence that any of the accounts are operated by Singaporeans, it said.
The directions were issued after the ministry identified a network of accounts linked to Guo and his affiliated organisations, known to disseminate disinformation across multiple platforms.
These accounts had published posts that alleged Singapore is "in the pocket of a foreign actor", who was "behind the scenes in the selection of Singapore’s fourth-generation leader” MHA said in a press release.
Account restriction directions are among a suite of actions that can be taken under FICA. Individuals and organisations can also be designated as “politically significant persons” under the law.
Between Apr 17 and May 10 this year, 92 accounts across the five platforms published over 120 posts containing videos on Singapore’s leadership transition.
The accounts are linked to Guo and his affiliated organisations, the New Federal State of China and the Himalaya Supervisory Organisation, MHA investigations found.
The New Federal State of China is a right-wing political and lobby group created by Guo and former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon.
Another three accounts belong to a Singapore chapter of the Himalaya Supervisory Organisation, known as Himalaya Singapore.
Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui lived in a lavish New York penthouse after he fled China. (Photo: AFP/Timothy A Clary)
Guo Wengui with Steve Bannon, an adviser to former US president Donald Trump.
A 2021 study by social media analytics firm Graphika showed that Guo is at the centre of “a vast network of interrelated media entities and social media accounts that disseminate disinformation across multiple platforms”, said MHA.
The coordinated actions and precedence of using Singapore to push its agenda show that the network is willing and capable of spreading false narratives that are detrimental to the country’s interests, the ministry added.
“The timing of the coordinated posts, which coincided with the period of Singapore’s political leadership transition, is indicative of deliberate planning and actions.”
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong took over the reins from his predecessor Lee Hsien Loong on May 15 this year.
There are grounds to believe that Guo’s network could harness the 95 accounts to mount hostile information campaigns targeted directly at Singapore, said MHA.
Such campaigns can undermine the country’s sovereignty and social cohesion, it said.
“As seen in overseas incidents, they have the potential to reduce confidence in democratic processes, sow discord in communities, and undermine trust in governments and public institutions,” said the ministry.
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam had authorised the issuance of the directions, after deeming that the conditions under FICA were met.
The directions will require the social media platforms to “take all reasonable steps to terminate any functionality of their services that enables interactions between the specified accounts and end-users physically present in Singapore”, said MHA.
“We urge Singaporeans to be discerning when consuming and disseminating information online. We should always fact-check the information to see if it is accurate and authentic, against a credible source,” it said.
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It is the first use of account restriction directions under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) since the law was passed in October 2021.
Five social media platforms — X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok — have been directed to block a total of 95 online accounts from being accessible to Singapore users, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Friday (Jul 19).
There is no evidence that any of the accounts are operated by Singaporeans, it said.
The directions were issued after the ministry identified a network of accounts linked to Guo and his affiliated organisations, known to disseminate disinformation across multiple platforms.
These accounts had published posts that alleged Singapore is "in the pocket of a foreign actor", who was "behind the scenes in the selection of Singapore’s fourth-generation leader” MHA said in a press release.
Account restriction directions are among a suite of actions that can be taken under FICA. Individuals and organisations can also be designated as “politically significant persons” under the law.
Related:
COORDINATED ACTIONS
Between Apr 17 and May 10 this year, 92 accounts across the five platforms published over 120 posts containing videos on Singapore’s leadership transition.
The accounts are linked to Guo and his affiliated organisations, the New Federal State of China and the Himalaya Supervisory Organisation, MHA investigations found.
The New Federal State of China is a right-wing political and lobby group created by Guo and former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon.
Another three accounts belong to a Singapore chapter of the Himalaya Supervisory Organisation, known as Himalaya Singapore.
Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui lived in a lavish New York penthouse after he fled China. (Photo: AFP/Timothy A Clary)
Guo Wengui with Steve Bannon, an adviser to former US president Donald Trump.
A 2021 study by social media analytics firm Graphika showed that Guo is at the centre of “a vast network of interrelated media entities and social media accounts that disseminate disinformation across multiple platforms”, said MHA.
The coordinated actions and precedence of using Singapore to push its agenda show that the network is willing and capable of spreading false narratives that are detrimental to the country’s interests, the ministry added.
“The timing of the coordinated posts, which coincided with the period of Singapore’s political leadership transition, is indicative of deliberate planning and actions.”
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong took over the reins from his predecessor Lee Hsien Loong on May 15 this year.
TARGETING SINGAPORE DIRECTLY
There are grounds to believe that Guo’s network could harness the 95 accounts to mount hostile information campaigns targeted directly at Singapore, said MHA.
Such campaigns can undermine the country’s sovereignty and social cohesion, it said.
“As seen in overseas incidents, they have the potential to reduce confidence in democratic processes, sow discord in communities, and undermine trust in governments and public institutions,” said the ministry.
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam had authorised the issuance of the directions, after deeming that the conditions under FICA were met.
The directions will require the social media platforms to “take all reasonable steps to terminate any functionality of their services that enables interactions between the specified accounts and end-users physically present in Singapore”, said MHA.
“We urge Singaporeans to be discerning when consuming and disseminating information online. We should always fact-check the information to see if it is accurate and authentic, against a credible source,” it said.
Continue reading...