Parliament has passed amendments to strengthen data sharing between the government and agencies, ensuring more effective and timely delivery of services for Singaporeans.
Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Jasmin Lau said the amendments will ensure the safety of data shared with external parties such as social service agencies, community partners and self-help groups.
This means Singaporeans can look forward to faster, less complicated services.
From getting government payouts to social assistance for families in need, the amendments will ensure more effective and timely delivery of services for Singaporeans.
The changes to the Public Sector (Governance) (Amendment) Bill will also remove unnecessary uncertainty and administrative delay.
PAP MPs raised important questions on how Singaporeans’ data will be safeguarded, when it is shared with external partners.
Mr Henry Kwek (Kebun Baru SMC), Ms Jessica Tan (East Coast GRC), and Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang SMC) asked how the public can be assured that their data would be used appropriately.
Ms Lau outlined the three key criteria for sharing data with external partners:
- A valid purpose that serves a genuine public need,
- Data usage focused on improving service delivery
- Sharing data to inform policy decisions.
She also emphasised the safeguards against potential misuse.
She noted that each use case with external partners must be authorised by the relevant minister, and that the Bill introduces new offences for the unauthorised use or disclosure of shared data by external partners.
“Expanded data sharing will mean expanded accountability too… With these expanded PSGA offences, individuals in external organisations face the same level of penalties that public officers are currently subject to for misusing shared data,” she said.
The measures do not create a “free-for-all” or authorise data-sharing for commercial exploitation, she added.
Mr Cai Yinzhou’s (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) and Mr Henry Kwek questioned the government on the standards of cyber security that are expected of external partners.
“We have baseline standards that all partners must meet, with more stringent requirements when sensitive data is involved,” Ms Lau replied, noting that public agencies will revise terms of use to align with evolving data security needs.
Dr Choo Pei Ling (Chua Chu Kang GRC) and Mr Yip Hon Weng raised important questions about the government’s principles for data protection and sharing.
In response, Ms Lau shared that as a starting point, where identifiable personal data is not needed, anonymised data will be provided to external partners instead.
Ms Lau likened the expanding of PSGA to building more bridges to help more people cross safely and access support earlier.
She said the bill enables public agencies to use data better to serve Singaporeans, making real and meaningful differences.
“When more people rely on a bridge, we do not slow down progress. We build and we strengthen the foundations, we tighten the controls, and we inspect the bridges more rigorously. That is the approach we are taking with this bill. This is how we serve more Singaporeans while safeguarding trust.”
“Keeping data safe is an ongoing and shared responsibility. We are committed to this responsibility as we strive to serve all Singaporeans better,” she added.
