SINGAPORE - X, formerly Twitter, needs to improve its ability to proactively detect and remove child sexual exploitation and abuse material, according to a report released Monday by Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
The report, which evaluates the effectiveness of online safety measures implemented by designated social media platforms, found that "children's accounts on X could easily access explicit adult sexual content."
Among the six platforms assessed, X received the lowest rating of 2.5 out of five, while TikTok earned the highest score of four. The assessment also covered Facebook, HardwareZone, Instagram, and YouTube, platforms deemed to have "significant reach or impact" under Singapore's Code of Practice for Online Safety.
The report highlighted concerns beyond X, noting that children's accounts on Facebook and YouTube were able to access age-inappropriate content that should have been restricted under the platforms' own community guidelines. It also pointed out that HardwareZone needs to enhance its restrictions for children or introduce more comprehensive safety measures.
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The six platforms generally performed well in "user safety measures for all end-users" and "accountability." However, some fell short in "user safety measures for children" and "user reporting and resolution."
The IMDA said that it is exploring how social media services should use age-assurance technology to better protect children and youth online.
Online safety remains a key focus for the Singaporean government. In July 2023, Singapore introduced the Code of Practice for Online Safety, mandating designated social media platforms to minimize users' exposure to harmful content and provide user-friendly reporting tools.
In January, Singapore further introduced the Code of Practice for Online Safety for App Distribution Services, requiring designated app distribution platforms to implement age assurance measures. The code will take effect on March 31.
Risks of sharing credit card credentials
Also on Monday, Singapore authorities issued a public warning about the risks of sharing credit card credentials for online transactions, as data revealed at least 656 reports of phished card details linked to mobile wallets in the fourth quarter of 2024.
In one notable case in November, a scammer obtained a victim's credit card details through e-commerce-related phishing websites. The scammer then added the card to their own Apple Wallet, prompting the victim to unknowingly enter a one-time password sent to their phone. By doing so, the victim gave the scammer access to their card credentials.
According to the report jointly released by the Singapore Police Force, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, at least 502 of the 656 reported cases involved cards linked to Apple Pay.
The authorities are working closely with banks, mobile wallet providers like Apple, and card service providers to combat this trend. They urged the public not to share their banking and credit card credentials with anyone and to exercise caution when making online transactions.
