Online Defamation in Singapore: What to Do

What Counts as Defamation

In broad terms, defamation is the publication of a false statement that harms a person's or company's reputation in the eyes of reasonable members of the public. Online, publication can mean a Google review, a Facebook post, a HardwareZone thread, a TikTok video, a blog post or a message in a group chat shared with others.

Not every hurtful post is defamatory. Important distinctions include:

• Fact versus opinion. "The food was terrible" is opinion. "The restaurant was fined for serving expired meat" is a statement of fact, and if untrue, it may be defamatory.
• Truth. A statement that is substantially true is generally not defamatory, however damaging.
• Fair comment. Honest opinion on a matter of public interest, based on true facts, may be protected.
• Identification. The post must be about you, directly or in a way people would recognise.

In Singapore, defamation is mainly pursued as a civil claim in the courts. Claims are heard by the State Courts or the High Court depending on the amount involved. The Small Claims Tribunals do not hear defamation claims. Criminal defamation also exists under the Penal Code, but it is reserved for more serious cases and is a matter for the police and prosecutors.

Evidence to Keep

Posts are often edited or deleted once the author realises there may be consequences. Preserve evidence before you do anything else.

1. Take full screenshots showing the post, the author's name or handle, the date and the URL.
2. Save the page as a PDF, and note the time you captured it.
3. Capture comments, shares and reactions, which show how widely it spread.
4. Record any other posts by the same author about you.
5. Keep evidence of harm, such as cancelled bookings, lost clients or messages from people who read the post.
6. Write a short timeline of events while it is fresh in your mind.

Store everything in one place and share it with your lawyer. Do not alter screenshots in any way.

The Protection from Harassment Act

The Protection from Harassment Act, known as POHA, gives individuals, and in some cases companies, remedies against harassment and false statements of fact. Applications can be made to the Protection from Harassment Court, which sits within the State Courts.

Under POHA, the court may in suitable cases make orders such as:

• A protection order to stop harassing behaviour.
• An expedited protection order in urgent cases.
• Orders relating to false statements, such as requiring a correction notice to be published, stopping further publication, or requiring a platform to disable access to the statement for users in Singapore.

POHA can be faster and more targeted than a full defamation claim, but it is still a court process with requirements to meet. A lawyer can advise whether it fits your situation.

POFMA, the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, is different. It is used by the government to address falsehoods affecting the public interest. Private disputes between individuals and businesses are handled through POHA or defamation law instead.

Cease and Desist Letters

A letter from a lawyer asking the author to remove the post, stop repeating the allegation and sometimes publish an apology is often the first formal step. Many cases end there, particularly when the author did not realise the legal risk.

A good letter is precise. It identifies the statements complained of, explains why they are false, sets out what is required and gives a reasonable deadline. Letters that overstate the case or make threats that will not be followed through can backfire, especially if the author posts the letter online.

Avoid sending your own angry messages to the author. Let your lawyer handle communication once you have decided to take formal steps.

When to Involve a Lawyer

Consider speaking to a Singapore lawyer promptly if:

• The post states something false as fact that could seriously harm your business or career.
• It is spreading quickly or has been picked up by other sites or media.
• The author is repeating the allegation across several platforms.
• It includes threats, private information or harassment.
• You need a platform to remove content and it has refused a normal report.
• You are considering a claim for damages.

Legal action involves cost, time and publicity. A lawyer can help you weigh whether it is proportionate. Limitation periods also apply, so do not leave it too long before getting advice.

Reputation Repair Alongside Legal Action

Legal processes take time, and even a successful outcome does not automatically fix what people see when they search for you. Reputation work runs alongside the legal track.

• Platform reports: many posts break platform rules on harassment or false information and can be reported while legal steps are considered.
• Holding statement: if customers, staff or media are asking questions, a short, calm statement prepared with your lawyer prevents mixed messages. Our crisis communications service helps prepare these.
• Search results: accurate, positive content about you and your business helps reduce the visibility of the post while it is being dealt with.
• Removal requests: once you have a court order, we can use it to request removal from Google and other platforms. Our content removal service works with your lawyer on this.
• Monitoring: watch for the allegation reappearing elsewhere.

Coordination matters. Anything said publicly should be checked by your lawyer so it does not affect the legal case.

What Not to Do

• Do not reply publicly in anger or post counter allegations. You risk making defamatory statements yourself.
• Do not create fake accounts to post in your own defence.
• Do not contact the author's employer or family.
• Do not delete your own related posts or messages that may be relevant evidence without advice.
• Do not pay anyone who promises to make the post disappear by unspecified means.

If you would like help with the reputation side of a defamation matter, see our guide to removing content from Google search or contact us for a confidential discussion.

Using Platform Reporting First

Many damaging posts also break the platform's own rules, and reporting them costs nothing. Google, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, HardwareZone and Carousell all have reporting tools for harassment, false information about a person, impersonation and private information. Report under the most accurate category and keep a record of what you submitted and when. A platform removal does not stop you taking legal steps later, and it can limit the spread while you get advice.