Singapore Blocks Anti-India Disinformation Campaign Under Online Criminal Harms Act

The Government of Singapore has invoked its Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA) to restrict access to a series of social media posts deemed to be part of a coordinated disinformation campaign targeting the country’s Indian community.

According to official sources, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs and police issued immediate blocking orders to platforms including YouTube, Facebook, and X, directing them to limit local access to 14 specific posts and videos.

Content flagged under the law

Authorities said the material appears to be part of a coordinated online campaign that has circulated across multiple platforms since May. The posts reportedly use selectively edited footage of crowded areas in Little India and clips of Hindu religious gatherings to create a misleading narrative about Singapore’s demographic balance.

Officials said the content falsely claims that Singapore’s Indian community is “overrepresented” in public institutions and misrepresents the country’s multiracial framework. The posts also allege demographic shifts that authorities say are inaccurate and inflammatory.

Government action under OCHA

Under the Online Criminal Harms Act, Singaporean authorities can direct platforms to restrict access to content considered harmful or disruptive to public order. In this case, the orders were issued to block specific posts for users in Singapore.

Officials said the action was taken to prevent the spread of material that could undermine social cohesion in the country’s multicultural society.

Concerns over coordinated online activity

According to government sources, the flagged content may have originated from coordinated online networks and was later amplified across mainstream platforms. Authorities described the campaign as part of broader efforts to spread misleading narratives online.

Security experts monitoring such activity have previously warned that digital misinformation campaigns can be used to inflame ethnic sensitivities and strain social harmony in diverse societies.

Emphasis on social cohesion

Officials reiterated that Singapore remains committed to maintaining its multiracial framework and urged citizens to verify information before sharing online content.

They also cautioned against engaging with or amplifying unverified material that could harm social harmony, adding that further regulatory action may be taken if necessary.