Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act 2019 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 2 · Prohibition of Communication of False Statements of Fact in Singapore
8. Making or altering bots for communication of false statements of fact in Singapore
Feedback & supportA person must not, whether in or outside Singapore, make or alter a bot with the intention of —
bot
“bot” means a computer program made or altered for the purpose of running automated tasks;
communicating, by means of the bot, a false statement of fact in Singapore; or
enabling any other person to communicate, by means of the bot, a false statement of fact in Singapore.
A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction —
in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding $30,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both; or
in any other case, to a fine not exceeding $500,000.
However, if the communication of the false statement of fact under subsection (1) is likely to —
statement
“statement” means any word (including abbreviation and initial), number, image (moving or otherwise), sound, symbol or other representation, or a combination of any of these;
be prejudicial to the security of Singapore or any part of Singapore;
be prejudicial to public health, public safety, public tranquillity or public finances;
be prejudicial to the friendly relations of Singapore with other countries;
influence the outcome of an election to the office of President, a general election of Members of Parliament, a by‑election of a Member of Parliament, or a referendum;
incite feelings of enmity, hatred or ill‑will between different groups of persons; or
diminish public confidence in the performance of any duty or function of, or in the exercise of any power by, the Government, an Organ of State, a statutory board, or a part of the Government, an Organ of State or a statutory board,the person who is guilty of an offence under that subsection shall be liable on conviction —
in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding $60,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 years or to both; or
in any other case, to a fine not exceeding $1 million.