Technology [SG]

Question 1

Evidence for Singapore having near-universal internet penetration?

Answer 1

• In 2023, 99% of households have internet access, while local smartphone ownership has reached a new high of 97% according to figures released by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)

Question 2

How do you support the claim that Singaporeans either overestimate their media literacy levels or underestimate how high they ought to be?

Answer 2

• A study by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) discovered, disturbingly, that over two-thirds of the participants believed fake news shown to them, despite half of the 2000-strong sample calling themselves “informationally savvy.” In fact, nearly half of the self-described savvy lot were unable to spot manipulations made to news articles

Question 3

Provide evidence that young people are just as or if not more likely to fall for scams.

Answer 3

• The 2023 Singapore Police Force’s mid-year report states that young adults, aged 20 to 39, made up more than 50% of the total number of scam victims

Question 4

Give an example of government official impersonation scams.

Answer 4

• In September 2024, there were at least 100 cases of Singaporeans being swindled by scammers cosplaying as officials, who used fake Monetary Authority of Singapore backdrops, badges and warrants to legitimise their cause, leading to a loss of at least S$6.7 million

Question 5

What are the consequences of AI and deepfake technology getting better by the day?

Answer 5

• Deepfake videos of politicians like Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, whose visages and voices were used by AI to endorse cryptocurrency investment schemes
• (…mimics pitch and intonation… altering mouth to synchronise with the fake voiceover…)