Facebook follows Singapore government’s order but slams ‘disproportionate’ use of fake news law
- The social media giant complied with the government’s demand that access be blocked to the States Times Review’s page
- ’We’ve repeatedly highlighted this law’s potential for overreach and we’re deeply concerned about the precedent,’ Facebook spokesman said
The widely criticised legislation gives ministers powers to order internet platforms and websites to put warnings next to posts they deem false, and also order that pages be blocked in the tightly regulated city state.
Political website States Times Review (STR) – which regularly posts articles critical of the government – was repeatedly accused of circulating falsehoods but refused to comply with official demands to put up corrections.
Authorities this week ordered Facebook to block the page for Singapore users. While they have ordered corrections be put up next to posts on several occasions, this was the first time they sought to have access to a page disabled.
Confirming it complied with the order, Facebook said it was “legally compelled” to restrict access to the page in Singapore.
But a spokesperson added: “We believe orders like this are disproportionate and contradict the government’s claim that [the law] would not be used as a censorship tool.