s 45L Online Code of Practice for regulated online communication service
45L.—(1) Without limiting section 6, the Authority may, from time to time and in accordance with rules made under subsection (2) —(a) issue one or more online Codes of Practice applicable to providers of any regulated online communication service or specified types of such providers; and (b) amend or revoke any online Code of Practice issued under paragraph (a), with respect to all or any of the matters in subsection (4) relating to the provision of that regulated online communication service. (2) The Minister may make rules prescribing the manner or form of procedure to be followed in connection with the preparation and issuing of online Codes of Practice applicable to providers of regulated online communication services, and any amendment or revocation of any such Code of Practice, including rules requiring the Authority —(a) to give prior notice of any draft online Code of Practice proposed to apply to providers of any regulated online communication service or particular regulated online communication service (including a draft Code of Practice that is to replace an online Code of Practice in force) or any proposal of amendments to or revocation of an online Code of Practice in force; (b) to specify the place or places where copies of any draft online Code of Practice or the proposed amendment or revocation may be inspected; (c) to invite objections and representations in connection with the draft online Code of Practice or the proposed amendment or revocation; and (d) to consider or inquire into all or any of those objections and representations where made in accordance with the rules. (3) If any provision in any online Code of Practice issued or amended under subsection (1) is inconsistent with any provision of this Act or the Part 10A regulations, that provision in that Code —(a) is to have effect subject to this Act and the Part 10A regulations; or (b) having regard to the provisions of this Act and the Part 10A regulations, does not have effect. (4) An online Code of Practice issued or amended under this section applicable to providers of any regulated online communication service or specified types of such providers may provide for all or any of the following:(a) requirements that a provider of the regulated online communication service must, by establishing and applying appropriate systems or processes, provide the service in a way that —(i) prevents Singapore end-users of its service (particularly children of different age groups) from accessing content that presents a material risk of significant harm to them; and (ii) mitigates and manages the risks of danger to Singapore end-users of its service (particularly children of different age groups) from content provided or that may be provided on its service; (b) any matter so as to provide practical guidance or certainty in respect of what content does or does not present a material risk of significant harm to Singapore end-users generally or certain types of Singapore end-users of the service; (c) the procedures to be followed by a provider of the regulated online communication service so as to satisfy the duty under section 45M to comply with the online Code of Practice applicable to that provider, which may include —(i) undergoing (at its own cost) such audit as the Authority may require to ascertain the provider’s compliance with the provisions of the online Code of Practice applicable to the provider; (ii) reporting to the Authority, periodically or whenever requested by the Authority, information about the measures taken by the provider to ensure that Singapore end-users are able to use the regulated online communication service in a safe manner; or (iii) conducting risk assessments on the systemic risks brought about by or relating to the functioning and use of their services and taking reasonable and effective measures aimed at mitigating those risks; (d) a requirement for collaboration or cooperation by the provider of the regulated online communication service with any conduct of research into its regulated online communication service by a suitable expert or experts approved by the Authority, so as to assist in developing the Authority’s understanding of —(i) the nature and level of the systemic risks brought about by or relating to the functioning and use of the regulated online communication service; and (ii) the evolution and severity of such online systemic risks; (e) any matter that promotes or furthers any purpose in section 45A.[Act 38 of 2022 wef 01/02/2023]