SINGAPORE – Singapore today used a misinformation law to order Facebook and Twitter to warn users about what it said are false claims on a dangerous coronavirus strain emerging in the city.
New Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal this week took to social media to allege that a strain of Covid-19 that appeared in Singapore could trigger a new wave of cases in India, and urged a flight ban.
However, the city state strongly rejected what it said are “unfounded assertions”, insisting that there is no such thing as a “Singapore variant” of the virus. The Indian government, too, has strongly criticised Kejriwal.
Singapore said a strain recently detected in the republic, and responsible for an uptick in cases, originated in India.
But, claims on the “Singapore variant” began circulating online, prompting leaders to order Facebook, Twitter and a local technology-focused portal to post the warnings.
Facebook and Twitter confirmed receiving the request, and have complied.
Users of the platforms in Singapore received a warning notice and were directed to a government-run site aimed at debunking false information.
“There is no new ‘Singapore variant’ of Covid-19,” said the site.
“The strain that is prevalent in many of the Covid-19 cases detected in Singapore... originated from India.”
The owner of tech portal HardwareZone also confirmed it has posted the warning.
India is suffering one of the world’s worst Covid-19 outbreaks, while Singapore has largely kept the disease in check, although it has seen a slight increase in locally transmitted infections recently.
Singapore’s law against disinformation, which came into force in 2019, is highly controversial, with tech giants and rights groups warning that it stifles free speech.
But, authorities insist that the measure is necessary to stop falsehoods from circulating online that could sow divisions in the multi-ethnic, multi-faith country of 5.7 million. – AFP, May 20, 2021
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