Government Plans to Tackle Foreign Influence on Social Media During Elections

On February 5th, during a parliamentary session, Sun Xueling, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, warned that the Singapore government could take action against foreign entities that deliberately manipulate social media algorithms to influence the country’s domestic politics, especially during election periods.

Responding to questions from Jurong GRC MP Tan Wu Meng about the potential impact of foreign-based platforms manipulating their algorithms to alter the reach of political candidates, Sun clarified that such actions would be considered foreign interference under existing laws, particularly the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) and the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA).

In her comments, Sun highlighted that the government is already aware of the potential for social media algorithms to manipulate the distribution of information among users, especially in the lead-up to elections. She stated that FICA could be invoked to counteract foreign-driven, algorithmically induced interference, such as hostile information campaigns aimed at influencing the election outcome. FICA targets covert or deceptive actions by foreign actors designed to manipulate domestic politics for their own interests.

The minister further noted that in 2024, under the provisions of FICA, Account Restriction Directions (ARDs) were issued to major social media platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. This led to 95 online accounts being blocked for spreading false narratives about Singapore’s leadership transition.

Additionally, Sun confirmed that the government will use POFMA to combat online falsehoods that could mislead the public during the election period. She emphasised that all online advertising related to the General Election must comply with the Parliamentary Elections Act 1954, which ensures transparency and accountability in election-related content. The returning officer has the authority to direct social media platforms to remove or restrict access to any online advertising that violates these regulations.

When asked by Worker’s Party leader Pritam Singh how the ministry would detect algorithm manipulation, Sun explained that the algorithms themselves are not illegal, but it is the use of these algorithms by foreign entities with the intent to influence domestic politics that could trigger action under FICA. The government remains open to further discussions with academics and social media companies to better understand emerging trends in online political influence.

In reference to international examples, such as the use of AI-generated videos in the 2024 UK General Election and social media bot farms spreading disinformation during the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, Sun reiterated that the government is keen to engage in conversations about preventing foreign interference through modern technologies.