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SINGAPORE-POLITICS-INTERNET-FACEBOOK
Facebook tightens political advert rules for Singapore
SINGAPORE, Sept 26, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Facebook on Thursday introduced strict
criteria for political ads on the social network in Singapore to prevent the
spread of misinformation as the city-state gears up for elections.
Faced with criticism the site has been used to manipulate polls, Facebook
has been tightening rules on such adverts around the world, from the United
States to India.
Those advertising in Singapore about elections and politics on Facebook or
its Instagram app will now have to first confirm their identity and location,
and disclose who is responsible for the ad, the social network said.
They must also provide information such as a phone number, email or
website, said Katie Harbath, Facebook’s public policy director.
In addition, the new requirements will apply to those wanting to run ads
related to social issues such as immigration and crime — topics that are
hotly debated by Singaporeans on Facebook.
“To enable healthy discourse in Singapore, we’ve taken steps to reduce the
spread of misinformation, help prevent foreign interference in elections,
and, more recently, to bring greater transparency and authenticity to
advertising,” she said.
Speculation has been mounting that Singaporeans could head to the polls
soon after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong convened a committee to review
electoral boundaries this month, typically the first step towards a vote.
Facebook came under fire from Singapore authorities earlier this year in
the run-up to the passage of new legislation to combat “fake news”, with the
government accusing tech giants of being unable to police themselves.
The law requires social media platforms to carry corrections or remove
content the government deems to be false, but activists have warned it could
be used to silence critics ahead of the elections.
Facebook is a major investor in Singapore. The firm has its Asia
headquarters in the city-state and last year announced plans to build a $1
billion data centre there, its first in the region.
The Singapore government has long been accused of clamping down on civil
liberties and free speech, and targeting their political opponents.
The People’s Action Party, which has ruled Singapore uninterrupted for
more than five decades, is not seen as being at risk of losing power at the
polls to a divided opposition.
BSS/AFP/RY/1501 hrs