06 Feb New Law to Give Privacy Czar Access to Confidential Info
Under the new cybersecurity bill which was passed in the Singaporean Parliament earlier this week, the Commissioner of Cybersecurity will be given powers to demand data or seize computers from owners of critical information infrastructure (CII) and also non-CII systems considered to be essential for investigations.
Even though a number of MPs had expressed their concerns on the broad powers given to Mr. David Koh, chief executive of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, 19 MPs still spoke in support of the bill in a three-hour debate.
However, Minister for Communications and Information Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim assured that the powers are not meant to intrude into privacy. Ibrahim added that it was a necessity given the potential of cyber-security threats and incidents to disrupt essential services which may even cause physical damage and harm.
Source: Straits Times
