Tan Kiat How on safeguards in advertisements on social media platforms

Commercial advertising in Singapore is regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS) through the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice (SCAP). The ASAS adopts a complaints-based approach in reviewing potential advertising breaches and can get advertisers to amend or withdraw advertisements that are deemed to have breached the guidelines. Designated social media services with significant reach or impact are also required under the Code of Practice for Online Safety issued by the Infocomm Media Development Authority to minimise users’ exposure to harmful content. These include specific measures to protect children, such as ensuring that they do not receive targeted advertisements detrimental to their physical or mental well-being. The designated social media services are Facebook, HardwareZone, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube. Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Tan Kiat How outlined these measures in reply to an MP’s question in Parliament on Wednesday (Feb 28).