Singapore Orders YouTube and X to Block Racist Posts Originating from China
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ordered the social media platforms YouTube, Facebook, and X to block access to 14 posts attacking the Indian community. This action follows Singapore’s assessment that the content undermines the nation’s multicultural model and was identified as originating from China-based social media platforms.
Singapore’s Second Minister for Home Affairs, Edwin Tong, stated that the problematic content attempts to divide society along racial lines. He emphasised that the Singaporean government will not tolerate any narratives that seek to damage racial harmony, particularly those spread by foreign parties.
“These videos attack our multiracial society and attempt to divide people based on race. However, this is not who we are. Every community in Singapore is valued, and everyone has an equal place,” he said, as reported by Channel News Asia.
The Singapore Police Force has issued directions to disable access under the Online Criminal Harassment Act (OCHA). Investigations revealed that the content initially appeared in Chinese information spaces in May before being reshared across various other websites and social media platforms.
“These videos attack the fundamental foundations that make Singapore a home for us all and undermine the very basis of our society,” Edwin Tong continued.
The blocked posts contained inflammatory claims, including narratives suggesting that Singapore is being “taken over” by the Indian ethnic group. The MHA reaffirmed that Singapore strongly opposes all forms of nativism and xenophobia that could trigger inter-community conflict within the country.
To date, the Singaporean government has found no evidence of a coordinated campaign by any foreign government. Authorities assess that the content was likely generated organically by foreign netizens across various international digital platforms.
“I would say any country attempting to maintain its social cohesion would agree with us that such content is unacceptable and would take a similar stance to protect their own society,” he concluded.