The legal framework
The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act 2019 allows ministers to issue correction or takedown directions for false statements of fact against the public interest, subject to appeal. The Protection from Harassment Act gives individuals a rapid civil route against harassment and false statements, through a dedicated Protection from Harassment Court.
Key points
| POFMA | Ministerial correction and takedown directions, appealable to the courts |
|---|---|
| Protection from Harassment Act | Protection orders and false statement orders through a dedicated court |
| Defamation | Both civil and criminal defamation exist |
| Online Criminal Harms Act | Enables directions against online criminal activity, including scams |
| Intimate images | Criminal offences introduced in 2019 |
| Expedited orders | Available in urgent harassment cases |
| Doxxing | Publishing identity information to harass is an offence |
In practice
- Capture evidence first: full screenshots with URL, date and surrounding context, before anything is deleted.
- Report to the platform and keep the reference number and the outcome.
- Then use the legal route — the order matters, because platforms act faster than courts.
- Do not respond in kind: your own posts become evidence too.
- Apply to the Protection from Harassment Court for an order: it is designed for self-represented applicants.
- Preserve evidence with timestamps before requesting removal.
Cost and coverage
The Protection from Harassment Court is designed to be used without a lawyer and has low fees.
Recent changes
The Online Criminal Harms Act 2023 added powers aimed principally at scams and malicious cyber activity.
Where to go
- Protection from Harassment Court, Singapore Courts.
- SHE (SG Her Empowerment) and AWARE for support with online harms.
- Police for criminal matters, including intimate image offences.
Worth knowing
The harassment court can issue expedited protection orders within days and is deliberately designed for self-represented applicants — the fastest civil route in Singapore. POFMA applies to false statements of fact, not opinions, and directions are issued by ministers rather than courts. It is not a route an individual can trigger directly.
Official sources and links
- gov.sg — official government portal
- Singapore Statutes Online — legislation in force