What legal powers were used to compel social media platforms to block posts?

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Legal Powers Used to Compel Social Media Platforms to Block Posts

The Singapore government has employed the Online Criminal Harms Act to compel social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and X to block specific posts. This legislation requires these platforms to undertake all reasonable measures to prevent users within Singapore from accessing the prohibited content. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed that police issued disabling directions under this act for 14 social media posts.
The Online Criminal Harms Act in Action

The Online Criminal Harms Act empowers authorities to issue directions to online service providers to disable access to content deemed harmful. In this instance, the MHA specified that the targeted posts were found to be inflammatory and potentially breached Section 298A of the Penal Code. This section addresses acts that promote enmity, hatred, or ill will between different racial or religious groups.
Nature of the Prohibited Content

The 14 social media posts in question allegedly contained claims that Singapore was being "overrun by Indians" and that the nation's multiracial policy was merely a "facade." These posts, which appeared to originate from overseas, also employed derogatory language and selectively used images to support their assertions. The MHA indicated that such content is a malicious attempt to incite hostility against the Indian community in Singapore.
Penalties for Offences

Content found to breach Section 298A of the Penal Code, as is suspected in this case, can carry significant penalties. Individuals convicted of such an offence face imprisonment for up to three years, a fine, or both. The MHA has stated that Singapore will not tolerate narratives propagated by foreigners that undermine racial harmony.

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What legal powers were used to compel social media platforms to block posts?

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