What is POFMA?

General Paper

Jan 22

Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act 2019 (POFMA)

https://www.pofmaoffice.gov.sg/regulations/protection-from-online-falsehoods-and-manipulation-act/

In an era of increasingly sophisticated ‘fake news’, POFMA is a response of Singapore to help protect its public against online harm by countering falsehoods posted online. Under the Act, when it is in the public interest to do so, the Government can issue a Correction Direction, which requires the recipient to insert a notice against the original post, with a link to the Government’s clarification. The latter sets out the falsehoods and provides the facts for the public to consider. The Correction Direction does not impose criminal sanctions if the Direction is complied with. It is possible to appeal against the Correction Direction, in the first instance to the relevant Minister.

Note that the original post is not removed, so the public can see what the concern is about. In certain cases, a Stop Communication Direction may be issued as well, instructing the person to disable access of the false statement to end-users in Singapore.

For some further information, see:

https://www.pofmaoffice.gov.sg/files/documents/pofma-office-faqs.pdf

[Accessed: 15-Jan-2026]

POFMA is an important reminder to us: check facts.

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