How safe are Singaporean bloggers?

bolehnation SG

Just wondering how safe are Singaporean bloggers? Do your Government constantly keep an eye on you?

In Malaysia a blogger was arrested for his "content on the Internet" just recently. Yes, the great evil Eye is now on Malaysian bloggers.

Same suffocating governments?

http://bolehnation.com/content/view/152/10032/

Slipshade SG

I think it goes down to what you are saying… and whether you have anything to back whatever you are saying. For example, if you are going to rant about how your government is corrupt blah blah blah, you’d better have some evidence to back up your own words otherwise you have to be responsible for what you’ve said.

Arapahoe SG

Don't like it don't believe it. Just turn the computer off. Nobody say you have to believe 100% the choice is yours.

These days if one access the porn site do you really believe those are not computer graphic?

zix1 SG

somehow, somewhere there are people from their side watching, so what you think?

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Legally, the laws can't do anything... unless the issue is really atrocious, which prompted both local and overseas bloggers to report it.

This is when trouble begins...

If local bloggers report the blog to local police, overseas bloggers are reporting an offensive blog, then that's when laws can cross borders, even though we don't have such a law for it.

Also, if that blog site that hosts your blog has certain T&C which you void, they won't give a damn about submitting your details to local police.

The issue about racist bloggers is an example... not a good one, but the signal is clear enough.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

If I'm not mistaken... Malaysian bloggers have to register their blogs with the government... or something of similar effect, which effectively allows the government to track.

the Bear SG

well, hey.. we've been making jokes about the PM's husband for ages Laughing

vito_corleone SG

this is the land of the un-free and home of the un-brave. your rights to speak freely is not guaranteed by constitutional act. Laughing

mancha SG

Lets say you print something offensive, like racist remarks, slander against a person, or vulgarity on paper and distribute it at MRT Stations to passersby.
That is clear you are asking for trouble with the law.
You are publishing offensive material and distributing it to the public.

But if you post in the Internet, in blogs, forums chat rooms, are you not publishing and distributing offensive material to the public sans paper.

You can turn off the computer if you do not like what you see.
You can just as well crush the paper and throw it into the trash bin.
That does not negate the offence.

BUT

What if you print the flyers in Sydney and distribute it there, the contents of which are offensive in Singapore.
Or you post the offensive remarks in overseas webpages.
Do they constitute an offence in Singapore?

We very well know what contents could get us into trouble with the law here.
But how long is the long arm of the law?

Tap the keyboard in Singapore, post overseas.
Tap the keyboard overseas, into Singapore webpages, blogs, etc.
How would such actions affect us?

Do we have a general law, that says that if a Singaporean commits an offence overseas, he would be dealt with as if the offence is commited in Singapore.
There is one, for sex offences against a child. But for other offences, I am not sure.

iveco SG

Who is the PM's hubby? Surprised

ANyway, Singaporeans (and/or Malaysians) abroad are safe, provided you aren't a bond-breaking government scholar.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Tap the keyboard in Singapore, post overseas.
Tap the keyboard overseas, into Singapore webpages, blogs, etc.
How would such actions affect us?

Data overseas, people see, never complains, chances are SG laws won't affect.
Data overseas, people see, they complain, be prepared to be arrested. As I've said previously, if the contents are atrocious enough, break blog/web hoster T&C, you can generally wait to be arrested, depending on the country's law itself and the blog/web hoster T&C.

Person overseas, data in SG, people see, never complain, 50-50. If government deem fit, you will see police order soon, especially if you are Singaporean.
Person overseas, data in SG, people see, they complain, wait to be arrested, again if you are a Singaporean.

As long as the server is not based in Singapore, your content is not bad enough, you are generally safe. Provided you back up your facts.

ispyyy SG

lol... these is not about blogger but this is about gamer...
I have a friend's world of warcraft account kana hack... His items and money in tat game stolen. Apparently, he says tat he has a program tat tracks key logger... I remember... He say the hacker is from china... So, he take all his data from tat program and report police ><

lol... this type of thing... police also chap... Not to mention racist and blah...

MyPillowTalks SG

dun post bad about the government, dun racist, dun say bad about other ppl, and dun post copyright stuff

ndmmxiaomayi SG

It's international crime... another issue.

By the way, your friend is lucky. Usually when we meet such cases, they kiss goodbye to a lot of things. He is able to take all this data from that program and show police... shows that either he's tech savvy or the idiot(s) attacking him is/are script kiddies.

ShutterBug SG

Personally I think if we remain relevant and cautious about what we say here, and DO NOT threaten National Security... it should be ok...

Unless of course, if their Paranoia progressed substantially....

mancha SG

I think there is greater paranoia on the part of the citizens.
There are still people who are afraid of the knock on the door at midnight, and therefore refuse to condemn even the Primary 1 registration system.

I say it is safe to speak out in Singapore, provided you do not threaten National Security, ie be careful when speaking about racial and religious matters, and about inciting hatred and violence.
National political issues that is likely to cause disquite, will be swiftly challenged, we all know that, but there is no need to fear that "knock".
And the other famous matter, and often misdirected to the government, is slander against the person. This will render you privately liable to the defamed, and is not a government action, but many do not see the distinction.
And, of course, if you wish to "entertain the public", please be mindful to the laws of the land, and apply for a police permit. Laughing This is for speaking physically on land.
In cyberspace, the same precautions apply, and personal blogs do not offer any measure of immunity.

ShutterBug SG

Originally posted by mancha:

I think there is greater paranoia on the part of the citizens.
There are still people who are afraid of the knock on the door at midnight, and therefore refuse to condemn even the Primary 1 registration system.

I say it is safe to speak out in Singapore, [b]provided you do not threaten National Security, ie be careful when speaking about racial and religious matters, and about inciting hatred and violence.
National political issues that is likely to cause disquite, will be swiftly challenged, we all know that, but there is no need to fear that "knock".
And the other famous matter, and often misdirected to the government, is slander against the person. This will render you privately liable to the defamed, and is not a government action, but many do not see the distinction.
And, of course, if you wish to "entertain the public", please be mindful to the laws of the land, and apply for a police permit. Laughing This is for speaking physically on land.
In cyberspace, the same precautions apply, and personal blogs do not offer any measure of immunity.

[/b]

Yes, well detailed and I agree...

We may air our opinions, objections, so long as we remain relevant and steer clear of Religious & Racial topics or ideologies...

What we all basically want, is for our views and opinions (as well as grouses) to be read, shared, and hopefully be noted...