Written Answer · 2026-04-07 · Parliament 15
Independent Audits and Verification of Algorithms Used in Third-party Predictive Analytics or Data-fusion Software Utilised by Government Security Agencies
Workers' Party MP Low Wu Yang Andre filed a written question on the third-party predictive analytics and data-fusion software used by Government security agencies: do these agencies conduct independent audits of the underlying algorithms, and is the Government satisfied it can independently verify such software's methodology before relying on it for operational decisions? Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam replied that MHA has an AI governance framework covering the development and use of AI tools; all predictive analytics and data-fusion software, including third-party vendors' underlying algorithms, are evaluated against this framework, with risk assessment and mitigation applied per use case, and independent assessments and audits performed before and after deployment to ensure compliance. The exchange touches the accountability dilemma of algorithmic decision-making in security agencies: the opposition pushes for external verifiability, while the Government holds that its internal governance framework suffices, without disclosing who audits or how.
Key Points
- • MHA has an AI governance framework covering AI tool development and use
- • Third-party vendors' underlying algorithms are evaluated under the same framework
- • Risk assessment and mitigation are applied per use case
- • Independent assessments and audits run before and after AI deployment
The Government holds that MHA's existing AI governance framework, plus independent assessments and audits before and after deployment, sufficiently manages the risks of using third-party algorithms in security operations.
Workers' Party MP Low Wu Yang Andre questioned whether the Government can independently verify third-party algorithms' methodology before relying on them for operational decisions, pressing for stronger external audit accountability.
Singapore manages third-party AI procurement in the security domain through ministry-level governance frameworks, favouring internal audits over publicly disclosed external verification mechanisms.
"Independent assessments and audits are performed before and after deployment of the AI application to ensure compliance."
Participants (2)
Original Text (English)
SPRS Hansard · Fetched: 2026-06-09
42 Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether Government security agencies that use third-party predictive analytics or data-fusion software conduct independent audits of the underlying algorithms; and (b) whether the Government is satisfied that it can independently verify the methodology of such software before relying on it for operational decisions.
Mr K Shanmugam : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has an AI governance framework on the development and use of AI tools. All predictive analytics and data-fusion software, including underlying algorithms from third-party vendors, are evaluated on this framework. Risk assessment and mitigation measures are applied to manage risks in use cases as well. Independent assessments and audits are performed before and after deployment of the AI application to ensure compliance.