Written Answer · 2024-03-04 · Parliament 14
Risks and Benefits from Widespread Adoption of Facial Recognition Technology and Oversight Mechanisms to Ensure Responsible and Ethical Use
An MP asked about the risks and benefits of widespread facial recognition technology (FRT) adoption in Singapore, the regulatory framework, and public engagement. The government replied that facial images, as biometric data, fall under the PDPA, security uses dominate, and existing guidance and governance frameworks ensure responsible, ethical use. The core debate: balancing technology adoption with privacy protection.
Key Points
- • Facial images count as personal data
- • Security uses dominate
- • Existing regulatory and guidance framework
Emphasises regulatory and ethical guidance safeguards.
Questions risks and public engagement.
Strengthen oversight of biometric data.
"Facial images as a form of biometric data, can be considered personal data when associated with other information about an individual."
Participants (2)
Original Text (English)
SPRS Hansard · Fetched: 2026-05-02
13 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Communications and Information (a) what are the risks and benefits associated with widespread adoption of facial recognition technology (FRT) in Singapore; (b) what are the frameworks and oversight mechanisms currently in place to ensure the responsible and ethical use of FRT in Singapore; and (c) what steps are being taken to engage with the public and relevant stakeholders about the responsible development and application of AI technologies to FRT.
Mrs Josephine Teo : Facial images as a form of biometric data can be considered personal data when associated with other information about an individual. When private sector organisations in Singapore collect and use such data, including for identification through Facial Recognition Technologies (FRT), they must comply with the Personal Data Protection Act.
In Singapore, a key use of facial biometric data and FRTs is for security purposes. In 2022, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) and the Security Association Singapore jointly published a Guide on the Responsible Use of Biometric Data in Security Applications, to guide organisations on the key considerations and safeguards for using biometric data responsibly and ethically. The Infocomm Media Development Authority and PDPC's Model AI Governance Framework (2020) also provides general guidance in addressing key ethical and governance issues when deploying artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, which can be relevant for FRTs.