Yes, you read that right, but don’t be too happy yet because non-consensual sharing or materials involving minors under 18, or minors in exploitative relationships, will remain criminal offences under Singapore’s proposed changes to its criminal law.
The Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday (October 14) by Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Sim Ann, introduces changes to modernise Singapore’s criminal laws and strengthen protection for vulnerable victims.
Under the proposed amendments, consensual and private sharing of obscene materials between adults will no longer be criminalised. However, those who create, manage, or use online platforms to share obscene content publicly, especially to large groups, will face much harsher penalties.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), technological advancements have made it easier for obscene materials to spread widely and quickly at minimal or no cost.
“Such online locations facilitate and amplify the spread of obscene materials. As compared to members of the online location who share obscene content, administrators have a higher level of culpability,” said MHA.
Anyone who creates or manages an online group or website to distribute obscene content will face mandatory imprisonment of up to five years, and if the material involves minors below 18, the maximum sentence will rise to seven years plus a possible fine.
Those who circulate obscene materials on a large scale, such as to 10 or more people, can also be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both. If the materials involve minors, the punishment will be even heavier, with mandatory jail of up to four years.
Definition of “minor” to be raised from under 16 to under 18 years old
The Bill will also expand the definition of “minor” from below 16 to below 18 years old, in line with international conventions on child pornography.
Apart from that, the amendments also address the growing threat of AI-generated content. With the rise of artificial intelligence capable of creating highly realistic fake images, the Bill introduces a new offence for producing intimate images without consent, including those generated using AI.
“The increasing sophistication of AI models means that completely synthetic images can be generated. These are no less objectionable than images which are created by altering existing images or recordings,” said MHA.
Producing or possessing intimate images without consent, including AI-generated ones, will carry penalties similar to voyeurism offences.
These proposed changes build upon earlier Penal Code amendments made in 2019 and 2021, which introduced new offences to tackle emerging crime trends and enhance protection for vulnerable victims.
