IMDA blocks six inauthentic Singapore news sites

Six domains were cut off after election period activity were flagged.

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has ordered Internet access service providers to block six inauthentic websites, following findings by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) over their potential use in hostile information campaigns against Singapore.

IMDA said in a press release that it agreed with MHA’s assessment and issued directions under the Broadcasting Act to disable access to the sites for users in the city-state.

Five of the websites are linked to a network of inauthentic news sites flagged by Google’s Threat Analysis Group and Mandiant. The sites, created on 28 March 2021, were inaccessible for a period. It re-emerged in June 2025 with updated designs.

After the revamp, they introduced features such as news tickers, search bars, and trending sections, and used domain names containing Singapore-related terms whilst publishing Singapore-focused content.

During the General Election 2025 campaign period, four of the five sites carried election-related content. IMDA said the sites were largely inactive before the writ of election and became active after its issuance.

Content on the five sites included material lifted from mainstream media outlets, with attribution to the sites themselves.

The sixth site, which presents itself as “The Singapore Times” with the sub-header “Singapore News and Travel,” also carried Singapore-related content and published an article on 25 July 2025 claiming to be a mainstream media outlet with high monthly traffic.

MHA said foreign actors use inauthentic websites to build audiences for hostile information campaigns, which may incite social tension, exploit divisions, influence elections, and undermine trust in public institutions.

The authorities noted that similar action was taken in October 2024, when access to ten inauthentic websites was blocked under the Broadcasting Act.

Singaporeans were urged to remain vigilant when accessing online content and to be alert to such inauthentic websites and the risks they pose.