Live Stream Sellers Could Face Singpass Checks in Singapore

Singapore's proposed verification checks for live-stream sellers, particularly those linked to e-commerce scams, reflect a growing regulatory focus on digital commerce integrity. The potential use of Singpass for high-risk sellers under the Online Criminal Harms Act 2023 could significantly enhance consumer protection and reduce fraud within the city-state's burgeoning live-streaming market. This move signals a proactive stance by the government to adapt existing legislation to new digital retail models. The challenge lies in defining "high-risk" and ensuring that legitimate businesses are not unduly burdened, especially given that many transactions use third-party payment gateways outside host platforms. While Minister K Shanmugam did not confirm universal Singpass verification, the discussion itself points to a future where digital identity verification becomes a critical component of e-commerce security in Singapore, potentially influencing similar policy considerations in other Southeast Asian markets grappling with online fraud.