500+ reports in 2 months: How Singapore’s new Online Safety Commission is tackling online harms
Can the OSC make the internet a safe space for users in Singapore?
In just two months since its inception, the Online Safety Commission (OSC) in Singapore has received over 500 reports of online harms, predominantly involving doxing and online harassment. Charged with the responsibility of aiding victims by pressuring platforms and group administrators to swiftly eliminate harmful content, the OSC seeks to ensure a safer digital environment for Singapore's users.
The OSC's Commissioner, Francis Ng, shared his insights on the commission's capabilities and the challenges it faces in combating online harms. During a recent interview with The Usual Place podcast, Ng highlighted the commission's authority to tackle online harms and emphasized the importance of removing harmful content, stating that it can provide relief to victims.
Ng recounted a particularly distressing case involving AI sextortion that left a lasting impact on him. He also addressed the question of whether social media platforms bear too much responsibility in dealing with online harms. Ng acknowledged the burden on these platforms but stressed that the OSC is working towards a solution rather than pointing fingers.
Another intriguing case explored by Ng is the "eat slipper rice" incident, wherein context played a crucial role in determining whether harm had been caused. He also addressed the question of whether a report can be made on content that has already been removed from the internet.
For victims of intimate image abuse, image-based child abuse, doxing, online harassment, and online stalking, Ng encouraged them to report their cases directly on the OSC's website. He also shared his thoughts on why "justice" is essential for victims of online harms.
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