# Implementation of Stay-down Measures for Non-consensual Intimate Images and Sexualised Deepfakes under the Online Safety Commission

- Date: 2026-07-07
- Added: 2026-07-20
- Who: Miss Rachel Ong · Mrs Josephine Teo
- Source: https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=written-answer-23654
- sgai: https://sgai.md/debates/written-answer-23654/
- License: sgai-authored content (summaries, translations, analysis) is CC BY 4.0 — attribute and link to sgai.md. Verbatim source text (Hansard, speeches, transcripts, policy documents) remains © its original rights holders and is reproduced for reference only. Terms: https://github.com/meltflake/sgai/blob/main/DATA-LICENSE.md

## Why it matters

OSC can extend removal orders to all copies of the same content and non-compliance constitutes a criminal offence, but its effect only covers Singapore users; global removal still depends on platform voluntary compliance.

## Summary

Rachel Ong filed a written question to the Ministry of Digital Development and Information: (a) whether platforms directed by the Online Safety Commission (OSC) to remove verified non-consensual intimate images, including sexualised deepfakes, will also be required to implement stay-down measures such as hash-matching to prevent re-uploads or redistribution; and (b) what powers OSC has to prevent such content from remaining accessible globally, since access-disabling directions only pertain to Singapore end-users. Minister Josephine Teo replied that, on a valid report, the Commissioner of Online Safety is empowered to direct Online Service Providers (OSPs) to disable Singapore users' access to the specified harmful material, and the direction may be extended to identical copies on the platform. The Commissioner will not mandate specific technologies as long as the required outcome is achieved; non-compliance is an offence. Directions bind only access by Singapore users, but OSPs may remove access for others under their own policies and community guidelines.

## Key points

- The Commissioner can direct platforms to disable Singapore users' access to specified harmful content, extendable to identical copies on the platform
- No specific technology (e.g. hash-matching) is mandated as long as the outcome is achieved; non-compliance is an offence
- Directions bind only Singapore-user access; global takedown depends on the platform's own policies

## Full text

© Parliament of Singapore — reproduced for reference only.

48 Miss Rachel Ong asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) whether platforms directed by the Online Safety Commission (OSC) to remove verified non-consensual intimate images, including sexualised deepfakes, will also be required to implement stay-down measures, such as hash-matching, to prevent re-uploads or redistribution by other users; and (b) what powers does OSC have to prevent such content from remaining accessible globally, since access disabling directions only pertain to Singapore end-users.

Mrs Josephine Teo: Upon receiving a valid report of intimate image abuse, the Commissioner of Online Safety is empowered by law to direct Online Service Providers (OSPs) to disable access by Singapore users to the specified harmful online material. This direction may be extended to cover identical copies found on the platform. The Commissioner will not direct that specific technologies be used as long as the outcome indicated in the direction is achieved; non-compliance with a direction is an offence.

While such directions apply only to access by Singapore users, OSPs are not prevented from removing the content from access by other users. However, this decision will be based on their own policies and community guidelines.