IMDA restricts 10 fake websites masquerading as 'authentic' S'pore-related websites

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has identified ten inauthentic websites set up by foreign actors that could be used to mount hostile information campaigns (HICs) against Singapore.

After considering MHA's findings, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has issued directions to Internet Access Service Providers (IASPs) under Section 16 of the Broadcasting Act 1994 to disable access to these ten websites for users in Singapore.

In a joint press release, MHA and IMDA explained that the ten inauthentic websites have been observed “masquerading as Singapore websites” to attract a local following that may subsequently be used as platforms to mount HICs.

Masquerading as Singapore websites

The websites did so by “spoofing or using terms associated with Singapore” in their domain name and incorporating familiar local features and visuals, said MHA and IMDA.

They also carried content on Singapore, some of which were generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI), they added.

“These are common tactics used by malicious foreign actors: build websites which can attract a local following, that may subsequently be used as platforms to mount HICs.”

Domain names similar to legitimate Singapore sites

Two of the inauthentic websites (www.zaobaodaily.com and www.singaporeinfomap.com) utilise domain names that are closely related or similar to legitimate Singapore-related websites, MHA and IMDA said.

They added that they carried content that may mislead their audience into thinking that it reflects official positions or local sentiments.

Using “Singapore” and associated terms

A second network of seven inauthentic websites utilise the word “Singapore” or associated terms in their domain name, such as Singapura, Singdao, or Lioncity, and publishes Singapore-related content.

They carried content which was identical to that carried by another foreign newswire which appears to have conducted HICs and influence campaigns against other countries, MHA and IMDA added.

Using colloquial expression

The last website (Alamak.io) presents itself as a Singapore news website through the use of a Singapore-associated colloquial expression “Alamak” as its domain name, MHA and IMDA said.

It also paraphrased articles published by local mainstream media on their site.

Investigations found that the majority of the articles published on this website were likely to have been written with AI tools, they noted.

The website also published commentaries on socio-political issues, including one that falsely alleged that Singapore had allowed other countries to conduct their biological warfare research activities here.

The full list of websites was also provided in the press release:

1. zaobaodaily.com

2. singaporeinfomap.com

3. Singaporeera.com

4. Singdaotimes.com

5. Todayinsg.com

6. Lioncitylife.com

7. Singapuranow.com

8. Voasg.com

9. Singdaopr.com

10. Alamak.io

Foreign actors propagating false narrative

MHA and IMDA also elaborated on how such websites can propagate false narratives to the population.

They explained that there are many overseas cases where malicious foreign actors have created and used inauthentic news websites to propagate false narratives to sway the target population’s sentiments and advance their own interests.

They do so by inciting social tension, exploiting societal fault lines, manipulating elections, or undermining confidence and trust in public institutions.

MHA and IMDA noted that most of the websites mentioned are associated with global networks of inauthentic news websites that cybersecurity researchers from Mandiant and The Citizen Lab have reported conducting HICs and influence campaigns in other countries.

As these ten inauthentic websites could potentially be used by foreign actors to mount HICs against Singapore, it is in the public interest to issue directions to disable access to them for users in Singapore, they said.

When last checked by Mothership, all 10 websites were restricted and displayed a notice stating that access had been disabled pursuant to a direction issued by IMDA.

Government reviewing law to pre-emptively act against such websites

There are currently no provisions in the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act 2021 to pre-emptively act against websites whether they are inauthentic or not, MHA and IMDA said.

For example, an Account Restriction Direction (ARD), an anticipatory direction, can only be given to a provider of social media service and/or electronic service but not websites.

In July earlier this year, MHA issued ARDs under the Act to social media platforms X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, requiring them to block 95 online accounts on their platforms from being accessible to Singapore end-users.

“The Government is reviewing the Act to see how this can be addressed,” MHA and IMDA said.

Meanwhile, they urged Singaporeans to continue being vigilant when consuming online content and alert to inauthentic websites and the threat they pose.

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