Tighter laws against cyberbullying?
The government is considering whether it needs to tighten the laws to target cyberbullying more explicitly.
SINGAPORE: The government is considering whether it needs to tighten the laws to target cyberbullying more explicitly.
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean said there are no specific laws against cyberbully currently, but there are existing laws that can apply against cyberbullying.
For example, cyberbullying may amount to criminal intimidation under the Penal Code, Mr Teo said in a written parliamentary reply to MP for Nee Soon GRC, Lee Bee Wah.
Mr Teo said in cases involving serious threats, such as threats to cause death or grievous hurt, the penalty is more severe, with a longer term of imprisonment.
Other offences, such as extortion or insulting the modesty of a woman, can also apply.
As there is no specific cyberbullying offence, Mr Teo pointed out that police do not keep statistics on cyberbullying per se.
He said the problem appears small at present but may be an emerging issue given the high Internet penetration in Singapore.
Mr Teo said the government is reviewing other criminal legislation enacted before the Internet age to ensure that undesirable acts perpetrated via electronic means can similarly be punishable as criminal offences.
Given the viral speed at which offensive material can spread on the Internet, Mr Teo said the government is also exploring whether to legislatively provide for a wider range of judicial injunctions to offer victims relief prior to the conclusion of criminal proceedings.
In addition to criminal sanctions, a victim of cyberbullying may also obtain a civil injunction from the Court to restrain the perpetrator.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Law are also reviewing whether the existing civil remedies need to be enhanced to address acts of cyberbullying.
Ms Lee also cited a case where a grassroots volunteer had his personal particulars posted on online forums and websites after he engaged some netizens on government policies.
She wanted to know how MHA planned to deal with the case.
Mr Teo wrote: "I do not have the details of the specific case you have mentioned. Nonetheless, in a scenario where the personal particulars of an Internet user are disseminated over the Internet by other parties, this may or may not amount to an offence depending on the specific facts and circumstances of each case, such as whether the particulars were disseminated in conjunction with a threat."
