Written Answer · 2026-09-09 · Parliament 15
Extending Age Assurance Measures, Minor-Safe Defaults and Crisis Escalation Standards for High-Risk AI Companion and Mental Health Chatbots Across Access Channels
Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information why, given that app store age assurance can be bypassed through web-based or account-free access, the Ministry has not required equivalent age assurance at the point of access to high-risk AI companion and mental health chatbots, and whether common age assurance, minor-safe defaults and crisis escalation standards will apply across access channels. Minister Mrs Josephine Teo replied that AI chatbots can be reached through apps distributed by app stores or directly over the Internet. App stores are an important gateway: the Broadcasting Act lets IMDA direct an app store to disable Singapore users' access to egregious content, including apps that advocate or instruct on suicide or self-harm, and the Code of Practice for Online Safety for App Distribution Services requires designated app stores to implement age assurance and review apps before release. For chatbots accessed directly through websites or other channels, MDDI is studying further safeguards to better protect younger users.
Why it matters
App stores must already run age assurance, but AI chatbots reached directly through websites face no equivalent rule yet, and MDDI says it is studying further safeguards.
Key Points
- • AI chatbots can be accessed through mobile apps distributed by app stores or directly over the Internet
- • The Broadcasting Act allows IMDA to direct an app store to disable Singapore users' access to egregious content, including apps that advocate or instruct on suicide or self-harm
- • The Code of Practice for Online Safety for App Distribution Services requires designated app stores to implement age assurance and minimise children's exposure to harmful content
- • Designated app stores are expected to review apps and app updates before release to ensure compliance with content guidelines and standards
- • For AI chatbots accessed directly through websites or other channels, MDDI is studying further safeguards to protect younger users across different modes of access
The Government treats app stores as the main regulatory gateway, relying on the Broadcasting Act and the app distribution code to enforce age assurance and content review. The Minister did not directly answer why equivalent age assurance is not required at the point of access or whether common standards will apply across channels, saying only that further safeguards are being studied.
Questioner Mr Yip Hon Weng worries that age assurance sits only at the app store download point, letting minors bypass it through web-based or account-free access and reach high-risk AI companion and mental health chatbots directly.
Singapore's protection of minors from AI chatbots still borrows the existing app store framework, and direct web access is an acknowledged gap. The Minister's confirmation that safeguards across access modes are being studied suggests online safety rules may extend from distribution channels to the AI services themselves.
"The Ministry of Digital Development and Information is studying further safeguards to better protect younger users across different modes of access."
Participants (2)
Original Text (English)
SPRS Hansard · Fetched: 2026-09-26
35 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information in view that app store age assurance measures can be bypassed through web-based or account-free access at the point of download (a) why has the Ministry not required equivalent age assurance measures at the point of access to high-risk AI companion and mental health chatbots; and (b) whether common age assurance, minor-safe defaults and crisis escalation standards will apply across access channels.
Mrs Josephine Teo : Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots can be accessed through different channels, including mobile apps distributed through app stores and services accessed directly through the Internet.
The app store is therefore an important gateway for access. The Broadcasting Act allows the Infocomm Media Development Authority to direct an app store to disable Singapore users' access to egregious content – including apps that advocate or instruct on suicide or self-harm.
Additionally, the Code of Practice for Online Safety – App Distribution Services requires designated app stores to implement age assurance measures and minimise the risk of users, especially children, being exposed to harmful content. They are expected to review apps and app updates before release on their service to ensure compliance with the app store’s content guidelines and standards.
Some AI chatbots can also be accessed directly through websites or other channels. The Ministry of Digital Development and Information is studying further safeguards to better protect younger users across different modes of access.