Singapore launches relief channel for victims of online harms

The Online Safety Commission started operations on 29 June.

Victims of selected online harms in Singapore will have a dedicated channel to seek relief from 29 June, when the Online Safety Commission (OSC) begins operations.

The commission will support the office of the Commissioner of Online Safety under the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act 2025 (OSRAA), the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and the Ministry of Law said.

In its first phase, the OSC will handle reports involving online harassment, including online sexual harassment, doxxing, online stalking, intimate image abuse, and image-based child abuse.

The remaining eight categories covered under OSRAA will be introduced progressively.

Victims of online harassment and online stalking must first report harmful content to the platform where it appears and, if the platform does not respond promptly or provides an inadequate response within 24 hours, they may then file a report with the OSC.

Victims of doxxing, intimate image abuse and image-based child abuse may report directly to the commission through its website where the OSC will assess each report.

Where there is reason to suspect that online harm has occurred, the Commissioner of Online Safety may issue directions to the person who posted the content, the administrator of the online group or page, or the platform hosting the content.

These directions may require harmful content to be disabled or user accounts to be restricted. Failure to comply with a direction is a criminal offence.

Six online service providers will also be prescribed under OSRAA and will be subject to additional obligations because of their reach or impact in Singapore.

The commission said it will operate a "no-wrong-door" policy, allowing victims who first approach another government agency to be directed to the appropriate support.

The OSC will also work with community partners including Fei Yue Community Services, Samaritans of Singapore, SHE - SG Her Empowerment, Singapore Children's Society, and TOUCH Community Services.

These organisations will provide counselling and other forms of assistance.

Specified provisions under OSRAA also take effect on 29 June, giving victims the right to bring civil claims against communicators, administrators and platforms that breach duties under the law.

Victims who do not know the identity of the person responsible for the online harm may also apply to the OSC for end-user identity information if they intend to commence civil proceedings.