To create a pro-consumer and pro-business infocomm environment, IDA formulates infocomm-related policies, standards, codes of practice and advisory guidelines aimed at leveling the playing field for infocomm service providers and empowering consumers and businesses with more choices.

IDA plays an active role in developing Singapore’s pool of globally-competitive infocomm talent and an infocomm-savvy workforce. We are also focused on driving consumer education initiatives, ensuring digital inclusion and supporting the effective use of infocomm in community outreach efforts.

Overview

IDA drives the growth, competitiveness and innovation of Singapore’s infocomm industry by nurturing local infocomm enterprises and supporting them in their internationalisation efforts. We also seek to inject greater vibrancy into the infocomm ecosystem by attracting world-class global infocomm MNCs and startups to hub in Singapore.

Unsolicited Communications

IDA, as the regulator of the telecom industry, regulates the behaviour of telecom service providers. IDA, however, does not regulate the behaviour of end users of telecom services, including those who use electronic messages, including telephone calls.

SPAM

In Singapore, the Spam Control Act (“Act”) regulates the sending of unsolicited commercial electronic messages, such as email and SMSes, in bulk. Persons who intend to send, cause to be sent or authorise the sending of such unsolicited commercial electronic messages are required to comply with all requirements set out in the Second Schedule of the Act. These include, amongst other requirements, incorporating <ADV> with a space before the title in the subject field, or if there is no subject field, in the words first appearing in the message. In addition, an unsubscribe facility must be provided within the message.

The Act, however, adopts a civil-based regime for the enforcement of its requirements. This means that parties who have suffered loss or damage due to a sender's non-compliance with the Act, can take direct legal action against the sender. Please note that given the civil-based regime, there are no specific authorities which can take enforcement action under the Act.

On your part, with regard to unsolicited electronic messages, you may consider contacting the company concerned directly to request them to remove you from their marketing list. Most responsible organisations would respect such a request. In the case of email, you can set your e-mail filters to screen out such traffic.

More information on SPAM related matters can be found through these links:

Nuisance/Prank Calls/Offensive Contents

In the case of nuisance/prank calls, you should alert your service provider and seek its assistance. For example, you could ask your service provider for advice on the options available for tracing nuisance calls. Some service providers offer value-added services (VAS) such as call blocking, caller ID or call tracing, which may be helpful in tracking the nuisance calls. You may also wish to lodge a police report. If the problem persists or the content contains elements of threat, you may wish to seek assistance from the police.

In the case of messages containing sexually explicit or offensive content, you may wish to refer the matter to Media Development Authority (MDA) at www.mda.gov.sg , for further investigation or advice. If the message contains offensive language that might amount to a threat or that might cause racial or religious disharmony, you may wish to refer the message to the police. You should separately approach your service provider for assistance on how you can stop receiving these messages.