The Online Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2022 (“Act“) has come into operation on 1 February 2023. The Act introduces new regulations and obligations on the part of online communication services and internet access service providers, and will empower the Infocomm Media Development Authority (“IMDA“) to issue orders blocking harmful content.
(a) Code of Practice. The Act introduces a new Part 10A in the Broadcasting Act 1994, which empowers IMDA to issue online Codes of Practice applicable to providers of any regulated online communication service. The Broadcasting (Online Codes of Practice Procedure) Rules 2023 have also been introduced to provide the procedure through which IMDA may issue a proposed online Code of Practice, which includes giving notice and considering objections and representations. While IMDA has issued a draft Code of Practice for Online Safety (“Code“) setting out the obligations of designated Social Media Services, this is subject to further development. The finalised Code is expected to come into force in the second half of 2023.
(b) Blocking directions. Under the new Part 10A, IMDA may also issue the following directions to deal with egregious content:
- Online communication services
- Internet access service providers
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