9/18/2019 Singapore | Global Network Initiative U a Singapore UPDATED: June 2017 | SOURCE: Telenor Group with support from Hogan Lovells Provision of Real-time Lawful Interception Assistance A broad range of government and law enforcement agencies – including, amongst others, the Singapore Police Force, the security services, government ministries, most pertinently the Ministry for Home Affairs and the Ministry of Communications and Information, and regulatory authorities such as the Infocommunications Media Development Authority (“IMDA”) – have the legal authority to require Telco Operators to intercept individual customer communications and to require these operators to assist them in implementing interception capabilities on the operator’s network. Strictly speaking, these authorities do not need court orders to intercept calls, emails or other communications in Singapore. The key relevant powers are found under the Criminal Procedure Code, Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act, Telecommunications Act and Official Secrets Act, and these powers are worded broadly. There is no general right to privacy under the Constitution of Singapore. TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT Section 58 of the Telecommunications Act (“TA”) gives the Minister for Communications and Information the powers to issue to the IMDA or to a Telco Operator such directions as the Minister thinks necessary. This may include: • the prohibition and regulation of telecommunications as necessary; • taking control of the use of any telecommunication system and equipment; and • the stopping, delaying, and censoring of messages as the Minister thinks necessary. https://clfr.globalnetworkinitiative.org/country/singapore/ 1/13