Sun Xueling: VPN users accessing blocked websites in Singapore do so at their own risk

SINGAPORE: Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling emphasised the need for Singaporean authorities to act against potential hostile information campaigns and highlighted the importance of vigilance when consuming online content.

However, she cautioned that individuals who circumvent protections, such as by using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access websites blocked by the Singapore government, do so at their own risk.

“We cannot protect people who deliberately avoid the protection, ” she said.

She was responding to a Parliamentary Question filed by Yip Hon Weng, Member of Parliament for Yio Chu Kang GRC from the People’s Action Party, on Wednesday (13 November 2024).

Yip sought clarification on the Ministry of Home Affairs’ measures regarding websites linked to potential misinformation campaigns.

He asked whether the Ministry has a specific threshold for the reach or impact of such sites before taking action to block them and inquired about the effectiveness of these blocks, given the availability of tools like VPNs that may allow circumvention.

Additionally, he raised the issue of whether there is a process for website owners to appeal or seek recourse if they believe their sites were blocked by mistake.

Sun: IMDA acted preemptively to safeguard Singaporeans from potentially misleading information

In response, Sun clarified that the Ministry of Home Affairs does not set a specific threshold of reach or impact when deciding to act against potential hostile information campaigns.

She noted that although exposure to the ten inauthentic websites blocked on 22 October 2024 was assessed as low, investigations revealed they could be used by foreign actors for hostile campaigns against Singapore.

These sites are part of global networks reportedly involved in influence campaigns elsewhere, as documented by cybersecurity researchers.

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) found it necessary to act preemptively in the public interest, rather than waiting for an active hostile campaign to emerge. This measure aims to protect Singaporeans from potentially misleading information.

She further stated that any licensee dissatisfied with an IMDA decision has the right to appeal to the Minister under Section 59 of the Broadcasting Act.

Yip questions impact of website blocking on underground channels and calls for broader misinformation strategies

In his supplementary question, Yip raised concerns about potential unintended consequences of blocking websites, such as driving traffic to underground channels.

He asked how the Ministry of Home Affairs would monitor these outcomes and whether there were complementary strategies for addressing misinformation beyond website blocking.

In response, Minister of State Sun Xueling reiterated that blocking inauthentic websites aims to protect Singaporean users from potentially misleading content and to raise awareness of foreign interference risks.

She acknowledged that while some users might still seek out such content by other means, the government’s objective of highlighting the risks would still be met.

Sun added that public awareness and vigilance are essential in countering foreign interference.

She mentioned ongoing public education efforts, including the National Library Board’s S.U.R.E. Campaign, which teaches critical thinking skills to help Singaporeans assess the reliability of information.

She also highlighted the annual Total Defence campaign, which encourages Singaporeans to recognise and counter hybrid threats. Finally, Sun emphasised the media’s role in raising awareness about foreign interference risks.