Singapore's Online Safety Commission (OSC) began operations on 29 June 2026 under the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act 2025 (OSRAA). It gives victims — including secondary and JC students — a dedicated channel to seek fast relief from serious online harms such as cyberbullying, doxxing and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. Parents and guardians can file reports on behalf of children under 18, and the OSC can issue binding directions to remove content, restrict accounts and block access.
Sources: MDDI — The Online Safety Commission begins operations on 29 June 2026 ; OSRAA 2025 (Singapore Statutes Online) ; OSC — What You Can Report
Sources: MDDI — The Online Safety Commission begins operations on 29 June 2026 ; OSC — What You Can Report
When the OSC Started & the Law Behind It
The OSC began operations on 29 June 2026, as announced by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI). It was established to support the Commissioner of Online Safety, a role created by OSRAA 2025. Specified provisions on statutory torts — which allow victims to bring civil claims — also took effect on the same date.
Sources: MDDI — The Online Safety Commission begins operations on 29 June 2026 ; OSRAA 2025 (Singapore Statutes Online)
Which Online Harms the OSC Handles (Phase 1)
The first phase covers five of the most prevalent and severe harms under OSRAA:
- 1. Online harassment (including online sexual harassment) — sharing threatening, abusive, insulting, sexual or indecent material about you, or sending such material to you online.
- 2. Doxxing — sharing your identity information online with intent to cause harm.
- 3. Online stalking — repeatedly making or attempting unwanted contact online.
- 4. Intimate image abuse — sharing intimate images or videos of you online without consent (real or generated), including offers or advertisements for such material.
- 5. Image-based child abuse — sharing sexual, violent or abusive images or videos of a child under 16 online (real or generated).
More harms are coming later
The remaining eight OSRAA harm categories — for example online impersonation, inauthentic material abuse, incitement of violence or enmity, and publication of false material — will be progressively implemented in later phases. Phase 1, described here, is what parents can act on today.
Sources: OSC — What You Can Report ; OSC — Frequently Asked Questions ; MDDI — The Online Safety Commission begins operations on 29 June 2026
What the OSC Can Do: Directions & Remedies
If there is reason to suspect online harm, the Commissioner may issue directions to stop or limit it — to the person who posted the material (the “communicator”), the administrator of the online group or page, and the platform hosting it. Directions can require the material to be removed or disabled, similar material to stop being posted or transmitted, the perpetrator's account to be restricted or banned, or access from Singapore to be blocked. In some cases a direction can require a victim's reply to be posted, or a warning label to be added. Non-compliance with an OSC direction is a criminal offence.
Beyond directions, OSRAA creates statutory torts that let victims bring civil claims against communicators, administrators and platforms. For intimate image abuse and image-based child abuse, the law provides for minimum damages of at least $5,000 per image or recording if a claim succeeds.
| Type of online harm | What the OSC can do (example directions) | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|
| Online harassment (incl. sexual) | Direct communicator/admin/platform to remove material, stop posting similar material, restrict or ban accounts, disable access for Singapore users | Victim (eligible), parent/guardian if under 18, authorised rep |
| Doxxing | Remove identity information, disable access to posts/pages, restrict accounts, block access in Singapore | Victim, parent/guardian if under 18, authorised rep |
| Online stalking | Directions to stop contact, restrict or ban accounts, disable access | Victim, parent/guardian if under 18, authorised rep |
| Intimate image abuse | Remove/disable material, stop transmitting similar material, block Singapore access; civil claim of at least $5,000/image | Victim, parent/guardian if under 18, authorised rep |
| Image-based child abuse | Remove/disable material, block Singapore access; civil claim of at least $5,000/image | Victim, parent/guardian if under 18, authorised rep |
Sources: MDDI — The Online Safety Commission begins operations on 29 June 2026 ; MDDI — Second Reading Speech on the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill ; OSRAA 2025 (Singapore Statutes Online)
Who Can Report (Including on Behalf of a Teen)
- The victim, if a Singapore citizen or PR; a valid work pass holder (EP, S Pass, Work Permit, EntrePass, etc.); a valid long-term pass holder (Dependant's Pass, LTVP, Student's Pass, etc.); or a recognised diplomat/consular officer or eligible family member.
- Parents or guardians filing on behalf of victims under 18.
- Another individual authorised in writing by the victim.
No fee, but no anonymous reports
There is no fee to report. Anonymous reports are not allowed — the OSC must confirm the reporter's eligibility and their relationship to, or authorisation from, the victim.
Sources: OSC — Frequently Asked Questions ; MDDI — The Online Safety Commission begins operations on 29 June 2026
How to Apply — Step by Step
- Report to the platform first? For online harassment and online stalking, yes — report to the platform first; if it fails to respond promptly, or gives an inadequate response within 24 hours, you may then file with the OSC. For intimate image abuse, image-based child abuse and doxxing, you can report directly to the OSC (you may also report to the platform).
- Prepare information & evidence. A description of who was involved (usernames, handles, profile links), what was done, how it was shared, and on which platforms — plus screenshots or links with dates and times. For harassment or stalking, include proof of the platform report (required). Include URLs of the material, or screenshots if it isn't publicly accessible.
- Submit the OSC report form at report.osc.gov.sg (linked from the OSC website osc.gov.sg). Parents or guardians reporting for someone under 18 should be ready to show proof of relationship (e.g. birth certificate or guardianship document). Other representatives need a signed authorisation plus the victim's ID. You'll receive a confirmation email — reply to it to check status, add information or withdraw the report.
- What happens next. The OSC assesses the scope of the report; if it falls within scope, it can issue directions such as removing content or restricting accounts. If you disagree with a decision, you can apply for reconsideration (within 14 days, no fee), then appeal to an independent Online Safety Appeal Panel (within 14 days of the reconsidered decision; a $200 fee applies).
Sources: OSC — Frequently Asked Questions ; MDDI — The Online Safety Commission begins operations on 29 June 2026 ; OSC — What You Can Report
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operations start | 29 June 2026 |
| Governing law | Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act 2025 (OSRAA) |
| Harms covered (Phase 1) | Online harassment, doxxing, online stalking, intimate image abuse, image-based child abuse |
| Who can report | Victims (SC/PR/work pass/long-term pass/diplomats), parents/guardians for under-18s, authorised representatives |
| Platform-first rule | Required for online harassment & stalking; not required for intimate image abuse, image-based child abuse and doxxing |
| Where to report | OSC report form at report.osc.gov.sg (via osc.gov.sg) |
| Fees | No fee to report; $200 only for an appeal to the Appeal Panel |
Sources: OSC — Frequently Asked Questions ; MDDI — The Online Safety Commission begins operations on 29 June 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Online Safety Commission?
A statutory body that began operations on 29 June 2026 under the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act 2025 (OSRAA). It helps victims of serious online harms get content removed and accounts restricted through binding directions.
Can I report on behalf of my child?
Yes. A parent or guardian can file a report for a victim under 18. Be ready to show proof of relationship, such as a birth certificate or guardianship document.
Do I have to report to the platform first?
For online harassment and online stalking, yes — report to the platform first, then to the OSC if the response is inadequate or absent within 24 hours. For intimate image abuse, image-based child abuse and doxxing, you can go straight to the OSC.
Does it cost anything to report?
No fee to report. A $200 fee applies only if you appeal a reconsidered decision to the Online Safety Appeal Panel.
What can the OSC actually do?
Issue directions to remove or disable content, stop it being transmitted, restrict or ban accounts, and block access from Singapore; non-compliance with a direction is a criminal offence. OSRAA also enables civil claims, with minimum damages of $5,000 per image or recording for intimate image abuse and image-based child abuse.
Related Resources
More SGSchoolKaki Guides
Browse other guides for Singapore parents on school life, exams and family support.
Official OSC Website
Full details on what you can report and how, direct from osc.gov.sg.
The bottom line
For a Singapore family dealing with cyberbullying, doxxing or leaked or edited images, the OSC provides a free, official channel to seek fast removal and account restrictions. Gather evidence early — screenshots, links, dates — and report via report.osc.gov.sg.
Note on completeness: This guide uses MDDI, OSC (osc.gov.sg) and OSRAA (Singapore Statutes Online) primary sources. The Phase 1 harms and processes described are as published at launch; later phases will add the remaining OSRAA harm categories over time. This is not legal advice — it describes the official process only. Always verify current procedures on osc.gov.sg before acting.
Sources
- 1.MDDI — The Online Safety Commission begins operations on 29 June 2026. mddi.gov.sg
- 2.MDDI — Second Reading Speech by MOS Rahayu Mahzam on the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill. mddi.gov.sg
- 3.OSC — What You Can Report. osc.gov.sg
- 4.OSC — Frequently Asked Questions. osc.gov.sg
- 5.Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act 2025 (AGC). sso.agc.gov.sg
Cite this page: SGSchoolKaki Education Team, “Online Safety Commission Singapore: What Parents Must Know,” SGSchoolKaki, 17 Sept 2026, https://sgschoolkaki.com/blog/online-safety-commission-singapore-2026.