Hillary Clinton’s email may be a topic that we continue to hear about in this presidential election year. But questions about government workers and their use of technology continue to evolve around the world. And they’ve just taken a sharp turn in Singapore. HPR’s Bill Dorman explains in today’s Asia Minute.
Starting next May, government workers in Singapore will have NO internet access at the office. Or at least they’re going to have to use some work-arounds to get online. The Straits Times reports a memo about the planned internet blockade is going out to all government agencies, ministries and statutory boards.
The move will affect about 100,000 computers….and comes as a surprise in what is a very digitally connected slice of Southeast Asia. This is not about employees spending too much time on social media or shopping or watching cat videos on line…government officials say it’s all about cybersecurity. Online government services are very common in Singapore---and that’s not going to change—internet-linked terminals will be available for those who need them for work.
But anyone wanting to surf the web at work will have to use his or her own device….which will be okay with the government —since those smart phones or tablets won’t have access to government email systems. Three years ago, the prime minister’s website was hacked---which led to increased attention to digital security in Singapore. No government officials would comment whether this latest move is in response to any specific incident of cybercrime.
