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posted ago by ThankGod ago by ThankGod +25 / -0

Singapore has passed a controversial law aimed at countering foreign interference in domestic affairs, in a move that critics say could be used to stifle dissent.

It allows authorities to order social media sites and Internet providers to disclose user information or block content that they deem hostile.

Singapore says such a law is needed to counter "serious threats".

The law was passed on Monday after 10 hours of heated parliamentary debate.

It will give the government powers to act against local proxies - people in Singapore that are deemed to have carried out "hostile information campaigns" on behalf of foreign entities.

The government can also designate organisations or individuals as "politically significant persons" if their work is directed towards a political end. This means they could be require to disclose their funding sources.

The small city-state joins nations such as Australia and Russia, which have in recent years passed laws to deter foreign interference.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58798373