Reed Smith Client Alerts

Key takeaways

  • The authorities are taking a risk-calibrated and outcome-based approach to stamping out scams and malicious cyber activities on popular services
  • The codes of practice impose requirements on designated online communications services and e-commerce services
  • In particular, additional verification of “risky sellers” will be required on some e-commerce services

Authors: Bryan Tan Eng Han Goh (Resource Law LLC)

Introduction

The Online Criminal Harms Act 2023 (the Act) was introduced in 2023 to combat criminal activity on online platforms, such as scams and malicious cyber activities (see our previous alert dated 16 May 2023). Pursuant to the Act, the Singapore Police Force has introduced a code of practice for online communications services (the Online Communication Code) and another for e-commerce services (the E-Commerce Code). These take effect from 26 June 2024 and must be complied with by 31 December 2024, subject to certain exceptions for the E-Commerce Code as set out below.