In forceUpdated to 15 Sep 2026

Contents

Online Criminal Harms Act 2023 · Updated to 15 Sep 2026 · Part 4 · Designated Online Services

19. Part 4 — general

(1)

The purpose of this Part is to counter the commission of offences specified in the Second Schedule by —

(a)

promoting or requiring good practices by a designated provider against the commission of offences within a related offence group of its designated online service; and

(b)

requiring a designated provider to implement appropriate systems, processes or measures for one or more of the purposes set out in the Third Schedule in relation to a related offence group of its designated online service.

(2)

The online service of an online service provider may be designated under section 20, and a code application notice, a rectification notice or an implementation directive may be given to a designated provider —

(a)

whether or not the designated provider (being an individual) is a resident or citizen of Singapore, whether he or she is physically present in Singapore or outside Singapore, and whether he or she is carrying on a business or operating in Singapore or outside Singapore; or

(b)

whether the designated provider (being an entity) is formed, constituted or registered in Singapore or outside Singapore, and whether it is carrying on a business or operating in Singapore or outside Singapore.

(3)

A code of practice, a rectification notice or an implementation directive may require a person to do an act or to not do an act, whether in Singapore or outside Singapore.

(4)

A requirement of a code of practice has effect despite —

(a)

a duty of confidentiality or privacy imposed by any rule of law; or

(b)

a duty imposed by any contract or any rule of professional conduct,that would otherwise prevent or restrict the person from complying with the requirement.

Terms defined in s 2

code application notice
Defined · s 2
“code application notice” means a notice given under section 22(1);
Open s 2
code of practice
Defined · s 2
“code of practice” or “code” means a code of practice issued under section 21(1), and includes a code of practice varied under section 21(2) or 26(7);
Open s 2
designated online service
Defined · s 2
“designated online service” means an online service designated to be a designated online service under section 20(1);
Open s 2
designated provider
Defined · s 2
“designated provider” means the provider of a designated online service;
Open s 2
entity
Defined · s 2
“entity” means —(a)a body corporate (including a limited liability partnership);(b)an unincorporated association;(c)a partnership;(d)a body politic;(e)a body of individuals who together form a body; or(f)a person other than an individual;
Open s 2
implementation directive
Defined · s 2
“implementation directive” or “directive” means a directive to implement any system, process or measure made under section 24;
Open s 2
online service
Defined · s 2
“online service” means the whole or any part of any service on or through which online activity can be conducted and which can be accessed by means of the internet, and regulations may clarify the types of services that are online services;
Open s 2
online service provider
Defined · s 2
“online service provider” means the provider of an online service;
Open s 2
person
Defined · s 2
“person” includes an individual and an entity;
Open s 2
rectification notice
Defined · s 2
“rectification notice” means a notice to rectify any non‑compliance with a code of practice made under section 23;
Open s 2
related offence group
Defined · s 2
“related offence group”, in relation to a designated online service designated as such in relation to an offence group, means that offence group;
Open s 2

Read on from s 20

Part 5

Appeals Arising from Part 4

Read on from Part 5

Part 6

Orders Against Non-Compliance

Read on from Part 6

Part 7

Part 6 Order — Reconsideration and Appeal

Read on from Part 7

Part 8

Reviewing Tribunals

Read on from Part 8

Part 9

Service of Notices, Etc.

Read on from Part 9

Part 10

Powers to Obtain Information

Read on from Part 10

Part 11

Offences, Penalties and Defences

Read on from Part 11

Part 12

General

Read on from Part 12

Schedules

Read on from Schedules