Singapore orders Meta to remove child sexual exploitation content on Facebook, in first use of enhanced law

SINGAPORE: The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has ordered Meta to review and remove content on Facebook containing child sexual exploitation material (CSEM), the agency said on Friday (Jun 9). 

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, took down the offending page and group within 24 hours, according to IMDA.

This is the first time IMDA has notified a social media service of such content, following the amendments to the Broadcasting Act last November to include enhanced online safety requirements.

The police had alerted the agency to a Facebook page that was part of an online network facilitating the sharing of CSEM, where it subsequently uncovered a Facebook group carrying similar posts. 

“The posts contained hyperlinks that led viewers to a website with CSEM,” said IMDA, adding that it also directed internet service providers in Singapore to block a linked website that enabled access and distribution of similar content. 

Parliament passed the Online Safety Act last year, requiring social media sites to block access to harmful content within hours. The law empowers the IMDA to deal with harmful online content accessible to Singapore users, regardless of where the content is hosted or initiated.

The act took effect on Feb 1 this year.