Written Answer · 2026-10-07 · Parliament 15
Access Controls for SAFER Unit Data Sharing and Ensuring AI Risk Algorithms Avoid Unfair Profiling or Privacy Infringements Against Vulnerable Families
Mr Yip Hon Weng asked Mr Masagos Zulkifli what strict access controls govern the sharing of highly sensitive client records in the SAFER unit between public agencies and non-government Social Service Agencies, and how the Ministry ensures AI risk algorithms avoid unfair profiling or privacy infringements against vulnerable families. Mr Masagos replied that SAFER combines data from different agencies to identify cases with child safety concerns, that all information sharing is governed by existing legal and policy safeguards, and that the current risk algorithm does not use any AI, though future expansion of data analytics or AI will remain subject to rigorous safeguards and human oversight.
Why it matters
MSF clarified that SAFER's current child-safety risk algorithm uses no AI; any future expansion of data analytics or AI will remain subject to rigorous safeguards and human oversight.
Key Points
- • SAFER brings together data from different agencies to identify cases with child safety concerns for assessment and follow-up by child protection practitioners.
- • Where needed, SAFER escalates cases by giving the specific Social Service Agency relevant case information to support their assessment and determine the right level of support for families.
- • All information sharing, whether between Government agencies or with Social Service Agencies, is governed by existing legal and policy safeguards against misuse.
- • The current risk algorithm used by SAFER does not utilise any AI.
- • Any future expansion in the use of data analytics or AI will continue to be subject to rigorous safeguards and human oversight.
The Government maintains that information sharing under SAFER is already governed by existing legal and policy safeguards, and that the current risk algorithm does not use AI; it did not specify what new access controls or algorithmic safeguards would apply if AI use expands in future.
Mr Yip Hon Weng's concern was whether access controls for sharing highly sensitive child protection records across agencies are strict enough, and whether risk algorithms could unfairly profile or infringe the privacy of vulnerable families.
This shows the Government taking a cautious, incremental approach to sensitive data use involving vulnerable families, currently relying on a non-AI risk algorithm, and signalling that any future AI expansion will require rigorous safeguards and human oversight, without disclosing detailed technical specifics.
"The current risk algorithm does not utilise any AI."
Participants (2)
- Yip Hon Weng
- Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M
Original Text (English)
SPRS Hansard · Fetched: 2026-10-21
23 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Social and Family Development regarding the use of data analytics and data sharing in the Sensemaking Alerts for Frontline Engagement and Response (SAFER) unit (a) what strict access controls govern the sharing of highly-sensitive client records between public agencies and non-government Social Service Agencies; and (b) how does the Ministry ensure AI risk algorithms avoid unfair profiling or privacy infringements against vulnerable families.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M : The Sensemaking Alerts for Frontline Engagement and Response (SAFER) brings together relevant data from different agencies to sense make and identify cases with child safety concerns for further assessment and follow-up by child protection practitioners. Where needed, SAFER escalates cases by providing the specific Social Service Agency (SSA) with relevant case information to support their assessment and determine the right level of support for families. Any information sharing, be it between Government agencies or SSAs, is governed by existing legal and policy safeguards against misuse.
The current risk algorithm does not utilise any AI. Any future expansion in the use of data analytics or AI will continue to be subject to rigorous safeguards and human oversight.