22-10-2024 (SINGAPORE) The Singaporean government has taken action to block access to 10 websites suspected of being tools for foreign interference. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Infocomm Media Development Authority announced this measure on Tuesday, citing concerns over potential hostile information campaigns against the city-state.
The blocked websites, all primarily English-language platforms, were found to be using domain names and visual elements closely associated with Singapore, in what authorities describe as a deliberate attempt to mimic legitimate local news sources. These sites include zaobaodaily.com, singaporeinfomap.com, and Singaporetimes.com, among others.
Officials invoked Section 16 of the Broadcasting Act to instruct Internet Access Service Providers (IASPs) to restrict local users from accessing these websites. By Tuesday evening, all 10 sites were inaccessible within Singapore.
“This is a proactive step to protect our national interests,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs stated. “While these websites have not yet launched any hostile campaigns, our investigations suggest they have the potential to be used as platforms for disinformation and manipulation of public opinion.”
The authorities’ investigation revealed that no Singaporeans were involved in the operation of these websites. Instead, they were traced back to three foreign entities. One website was linked to a Russian individual, while the remaining nine were connected to Chinese companies, including a network associated with SEAPRwire, which claims to have offices in Hong Kong, the United States, and Singapore.
Of particular concern was the discovery that some of the content on these sites was generated by artificial intelligence, raising questions about the authenticity and intent of the information being disseminated.
The government’s statement also highlighted that some of the blocked websites had published content identical to that found on known “news agency” networks that have previously conducted hostile information campaigns against other countries. In one alarming instance, a website made false accusations about Singapore allowing foreign biological warfare research within its borders.
