Written Answer · 2026-07-07 · Parliament 15
Watermarking and Digital Provenance Standards for AI-generated Media, Metadata Preservation and Cross-platform Coordination
Rachel Ong filed a written question to the Ministry of Digital Development and Information: while testing standards and technical solutions to manage AI-related risks are still developing, (a) whether the Government is studying watermarking or digital provenance standards for AI-generated media; (b) whether authorities can compel preservation and disclosure of metadata identifying original uploaders; and (c) what cross-platform coordination measures across social media and websites are being considered. Minister Josephine Teo replied that the Government tracks the development of technical standards for identifying AI-generated content, including watermarking and digital-provenance approaches, and engages international and industry platforms such as the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), which has over 6,000 members including major technology and AI companies. As these standards evolve, it will assess their applicability in the Singapore context, including cross-platform measures. Where criminal offences are disclosed, the Police are empowered to require platforms to disclose information — including uploader metadata and identifiable data where available — to assist investigations.
Key Points
- • The Government tracks standards for identifying AI-generated content (watermarking, digital provenance) but has not mandated one — it will assess applicability as international standards evolve
- • It engages international/industry platforms such as the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA, 6,000+ members)
- • Where criminal offences arise, the Police can require platforms to disclose uploader metadata and other information
On provenance for AI content, the Government follows international standards rather than setting its own: it plugs into global technical evolution through coalitions like C2PA and holds mandates back until standards mature. Today's real compulsion comes from metadata-disclosure powers in a criminal-investigation setting, not a general watermarking duty.
Singapore's governance of AI-generated content sits at a "watch-and-align-with-international-standards" stage, deliberately not front-running a unilateral watermarking standard that could break global interoperability — a contrast with its readiness to legislate decisively in high-risk settings like deepfakes and elections. Until provenance technology matures, it will not rush to mandate.
"The Government tracks the development of technical standards for identifying AI-generated content, including watermarking and digital provenance approaches ... As these technologies and standards continue to evolve, we will assess their applicability in the Singapore context, including cross-platform measures."
Participants (2)
Original Text (English)
SPRS Hansard · Fetched: 2026-07-20
49 Miss Rachel Ong asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information while testing standards and technical solutions to manage artificial intelligence (AI)-related risks are still developing (a) whether the Government is studying watermarking or digital provenance standards for AI-generated media; (b) whether authorities can compel preservation and disclosure of metadata identifying original uploaders; and (c) what cross-platform coordination measures across social media sites and websites are being considered.
Mrs Josephine Teo: The Government tracks the development of technical standards for identifying artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content, including watermarking and digital provenance approaches, as part of broader efforts to manage AI-related risks. We engage relevant international and industry platforms, such as the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, which has over 6,000 members, including the major technology and AI companies. As these technologies and standards continue to evolve, we will assess their applicability in the Singapore context, including cross-platform measures.
If criminal offences are disclosed, the Police are empowered under the law to require platforms to disclose information to assist investigations, including metadata and identifiable data of content uploaders where available.