Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA) maintains license and registration requirements that subject Internet content and service providers to penalties for non-compliance with restrictions on prohibited material. The MDA is charged with ensuring that “nothing is included in the content of any media service which is against public interest or order, or national harmony, or which offends good taste or decency”. The core of this framework is a class licence scheme stipulated under the Broadcasting Act and by industry policies and regulations issued by the MDA.
Under the class license scheme, all ISPs and those ICPs determined to be political parties or persons “engaged in the propagation, promotion or discussion of political or religious issues relating to Singapore” must register with the MDA. As licensee, ISPs and ICPs are also bound by the MDA’s Internet Code of Practice. The Code defines “prohibited material” broadly, specifying only a few standards for sexual, violent, and intolerant content. Where filtering is not mandated at the ISP level, the Code requires that ICPs deny access to material if so directed by the MDA. Licensee that fail to comply with the Code may face sanctions, including fines or licence suspensions or terminations