App store
In effect
- Bill / statute
- IMDA Code of Practice for Online Safety for App Distribution Services
- Status
- Active law in effect
- Effective
- Apr 1, 2026
- Intrusiveness
- High -- Broad reach: low or no content threshold, device/OS-level, or bundled with other verification.
Issued by the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) under Section 45L of the Broadcasting Act 1994, the Code took effect March 31, 2025; from April 1, 2026 designated app stores (Apple App Store, Google Play, Huawei AppGallery, Microsoft Store, Samsung Galaxy Store) must use age assurance -- facial-age estimation, digital ID or credit-card checks -- to keep users estimated to be under 18 from downloading age-inappropriate apps. Non-compliance can draw fines up to SGD 1 million.
Timeline
- Mar 31, 2025Scheduled
- Mar 31, 2025Code of Practice takes effect
- Apr 1, 2026In effect
- Apr 1, 2026Age-assurance requirement begins for designated app stores
Source: twobirds.com
Social media
Proposed
- Bill / statute
- Proposed social-media age-assurance and teen-safeguard legislation (MDDI, for early 2027)
- Status
- Proposed bill (not yet law)
SINGAPORE WILL LEGISLATE AGE ASSURANCE AND UNDER-13 EXCLUSION FOR SOCIAL MEDIA, WITH A BILL PLANNED FOR EARLY 2027. An MDDI factsheet of Jul 4, 2026 said the government plans to extend age-assurance duties to designated social media services and keep users under 13 off them, with age-appropriate safeguards for 13- to 17-year-olds, building on the 2023 Social Media Services code and the app-store code that has required under-18 age assurance since Apr 1, 2026; the Online Safety Commission began operating in June 2026. In September 2026 the government proposed legislation for early 2027 with three parts: mandatory age assurance, safer-by-design duties for teen users (limits on stranger messaging, autoplay, infinite scroll, algorithmic feeds and daily use), and age-based access restrictions -- platforms that cannot or will not comply may have to bar under-18s. It initially covers the six designated services, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube and HardwareZone, with AI chatbots, gaming and messaging possible later; platforms may choose among government ID, credit card, biometrics or usage analysis under an outcome-based regime with audits, and enforcement powers are to follow in early 2027 (Baker McKenzie, Sep 29, 2026). NOT ESTABLISHED: the bill's title and introduction date, penalty levels, and whether adults will have to prove their age to keep using the designated services.
Timeline
- Jun 1, 2026Online Safety Commission begins operations
- Jul 4, 2026Proposed
- Jul 4, 2026MDDI says age assurance will extend to social media; under-13s to be kept off
- Sep 29, 2026Government proposes legislation for early 2027 with graduated access for teens
Source: mddi.gov.sg
