What new police orders will compel information disclosure from service providers?

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New Police Orders Will Compel Information Disclosure from Service Providers

Under the proposed Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill, a new police order, known as a Disclosure Order, will empower authorities to compel banks, telecommunication companies, and online service providers to furnish information pertaining to specified accounts and scam-related activities. This measure is designed to address the challenge of scammers operating across multiple platforms, leaving digital traces that are crucial for investigators but often remain siloed without consistent information sharing.
Disclosure Order for Information Gathering

The proposed Disclosure Order is a key component of the Bill aimed at enhancing the detection and disruption of criminal networks. It mandates that service providers, including financial institutions and telcos, must hand over details concerning accounts and activities that police identify as potentially linked to scams. This is intended to bridge information gaps that currently hinder investigations, as suspicious activities detected by one entity might not be visible to others.
Account Disabling Order for Swift Action

Complementing the Disclosure Order, the Bill also introduces an Account Disabling Order. This provision will allow the police to order providers to disable accounts that exhibit characteristics indicative of scam involvement. Such accounts can be disabled for an initial period of up to 30 days, with the possibility of a single extension. While individuals affected by these disabling orders have the right to appeal, the order will remain in effect during the review process.
Support for National Scams List

These new police orders will function in conjunction with the forthcoming National Scams List, a centralised platform being developed by HTX and the police. The goal of this list is to enable partner organisations to more rapidly identify entities that facilitate scams, thereby strengthening the overall anti-scam regime in Singapore. The coordinated approach aims to create a more robust defence against evolving scam tactics.
Strengthening the Anti-Scam Regime

The introduction of these orders signifies a move towards granting authorities stronger and faster tools to combat scams. By facilitating both information disclosure and the swift disabling of suspicious accounts, the Bill seeks to plug existing gaps in Singapore's anti-scam framework. The Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that these strengthened laws are crucial for preserving trust in the nation's digital environment, which is increasingly targeted by scams of significant scale and sophistication.

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What new police orders will compel information disclosure from service providers?

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