Singapore declares two new TOC websites as restricted online locations

Singapore's Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has taken action against The Online Citizen (TOC), designating two of its alternate websites as Declared Online Locations (DOLs) under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA). These new declarations, effective July 1, will remain in place until June 30, 2028.

This action stems from TOC's operator establishing new websites with different URLs after its primary site and social media pages were previously designated as DOLs in June 2025. The ministry observed that these alternate locations allowed the operator to continue publishing content and receive financial benefits, such as through online advertisements, by circumventing the requirements imposed on the primary DOLs.

TOC's alternate website closely mirrors its primary site's branding and has been used to redirect users since May. Additionally, Heidoh, another alternative news site established by TOC's operator in 2025, has republished content from TOC's websites. Both Heidoh and TOC's alternate website were previously issued POFMA correction directions for publishing falsehoods, including an article concerning Attorney-General Lucien Wong's recusal from matters related to the acquisition of 38 Oxley Road.

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This has allowed their operator to receive financial benefits from operating the sites by carrying paid content, such as online advertisements.