Singapore’s Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act (OSRA) was passed in November 2025 and is expected to be operationalised in 2026.
The law, introduced by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and the Ministry of Law, aims to give victims of online harms faster relief and clearer legal recourse — while tightening accountability for perpetrators and platforms.
Here is what the OSRA Act is about and how it could reshape online spaces in Singapore.
What Is the OSRA Act?
The OSRA Act is designed to tackle online harms such as:
- Cyberbullying
- Harassment
- Doxxing
- Intimate image abuse
- Harmful sexual or violent content
It does four main things:
- Establishes a new Online Safety Commission (OSC).
- Gives the OSC power to order takedowns and account restrictions.
- Introduces statutory torts so victims can sue.
- Allows identity disclosure of perpetrators under safeguards.
The goal is to create a safer online public square without relying solely on lengthy court proceedings.
Why Was It Introduced?
Government surveys found that:
- 84% of respondents encountered harmful online content.
- 33% experienced harmful online behaviour within a year.
Advocacy studies also showed that many Singaporeans avoid expressing views online due to fear of being targeted.
A public consultation in late 2024 drew more than 100 responses. Over 90% supported creating a dedicated agency to deal with online harms. The law was framed as strengthening — not replacing — existing criminal and regulatory frameworks.
Have There Been Serious Cases in Singapore?
Singapore has seen distressing cases involving online harassment and digital abuse.
River Valley High School (2021): While the 2021 incident was primarily a violent crime, public discourse after the tragedy highlighted mental health pressures and the broader digital environment young people navigate.
Singapore has also seen cases involving:
- Publication of private information online,
- Coordinated harassment campaigns,
- Intimate image abuse,
- Sustained online shaming causing psychological harm.
Some victims have reported anxiety, depression and withdrawal from public life.
The OSRA Act is intended to provide quicker intervention in such cases.
What Does It Mean for Victims?
For victims, the OSRA Act offers:
1. Faster Takedowns
Victims can escalate complaints to the Online Safety Commission if platforms fail to act.
The OSC can order:
- Removal of harmful content,
- Restriction of accounts,
- Blocking access to content.
Non-compliance is a criminal offence.
2. Right to Sue
The Act introduces statutory torts. Victims can seek:
- Damages,
- Court injunctions.
This creates a clearer legal basis to hold perpetrators, administrators and platforms accountable.
3. Identity Disclosure
If necessary to pursue legal action, victims may apply to obtain a perpetrator’s identity from platforms, subject to strict safeguards.
What Does It Mean for Perpetrators?
Individuals who engage in online harm may face:
- OSC directions,
- Civil lawsuits,
- Disclosure of identity,
- Criminal penalties for ignoring directions.
Online anonymity will no longer guarantee impunity.
How Will It Affect Social Media Platforms?
Platforms must:
- Respond to user reports within defined timelines,
- Take “reasonable steps” to address specified harms,
- Potentially disclose user identity information,
- Comply with OSC orders.
Larger platforms may face additional obligations.
The law may lead to:
- Faster moderation decisions,
- More structured appeals systems,
- Higher compliance costs,
- Greater caution in handling contentious content.
How definitions of “harm” are applied in practice will shape the balance between safety and free expression.
How Can Someone Report Under OSRA?
Once operational in 2026:
- Report the content to the platform first.
- If unresolved, escalate to the Online Safety Commission.
- For urgent harms (e.g. intimate image abuse), victims may approach the OSC directly.
Victims seeking compensation can also file a civil claim in court under the statutory tort provisions.
The Bottom Line
The OSRA Act marks a significant shift in Singapore’s online governance framework.
It strengthens victim-led remedies, raises accountability for digital wrongdoing and signals tighter expectations for platforms operating in Singapore.
Its real-world impact will depend on how the Online Safety Commission exercises its powers when the law comes into force in 2026.
