By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
TechgoonduTechgoonduTechgoondu
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Fines and warnings for 11 organisations for data privacy lapses in Singapore
Share
Font ResizerAa
TechgoonduTechgoondu
Font ResizerAa
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Follow US
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Techgoondu > Blog > Enterprise > Fines and warnings for 11 organisations for data privacy lapses in Singapore
EnterpriseInternet

Fines and warnings for 11 organisations for data privacy lapses in Singapore

Alfred Siew
Last updated: April 21, 2016 at 8:31 PM
Alfred Siew
Published: April 21, 2016
3 Min Read
SHARE

k box website

Singapore’s privacy watchdog has fined four organisations and warned another seven for failing to safeguard their users’ private information, in an unprecedented move that signals a tough stance against errant organisations.

The stiffest fine was for K Box, the karaoke operator that leaked 317,000 customers’ names, contact numbers and addresses after it suffered a cyber attack in September 2014.

It was told to pay a penalty of S$50,000 for not safeguarding customer data adequately, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) said today.

K Box’s IT vendor, Finantech Holding, wasn’t spared either. It was fined S$10,000 for not updating the systems to the latest and more secure versions.

Perhaps most revealing from the investigations was the password for the administrator account at K Box. It was left as “admin”, making it easy for hackers to access the system.

It is not just the high-profile victims of cyber crime that has now come into the spotlight for poor IT practices that expose end-user data. Familiar names will be embarrassed as well.

The Institution of Engineers Singapore was fined S$10,000 and health supplements supplier Fei Fah Medical Manufacturing was told to cough out S$5,000, both for not having adequate security measures in place.

IT retailer Challenger Technologies and its IT vendor Xirlynx Innovations were given warnings for lapses in the way they handled personal data. The same for Singapore Computer Society, an industry body.

Consumers will welcome the government’s tough stance on such errant organisations, as it steps up efforts to ensure that personal information is not loosely collected, stored or handled.

After all, with more sensitive information coming online with a smart nation, trust is something that has to be built with users and citizens.

For organisations in Singapore, though, the news will be sobering. They not only have to contend with an increased cyber threat today but could now face significant fines and the shame of being named as having failed to protect private information.

They may also say the government is practising double standards. While it gets tough on errant private sector organisations, it itself is exempt from the privacy laws in place today.

For example, SingPass relied on users’ IC numbers as usernames for years and did not require a second-factor authentication until a serious breach in 2014 forced a long-overdue change.

At the same time, upcoming road gantry systems will be used to help government agencies collect information on where a car has travelled to fight terrorism.

Guidelines and a framework have been promised to prevent abuse, but so far, these have not been debated on in public.

Singapore telcos told: no 4G add-on fee for users on contract
Q&A: Data centres need better cooling for Southeast Asia AI boom, says Vertiv
M1 5G Standalone network links up robots, security staff at Singapore’s Keppel Bay
Windows 8 Enterprise touts mobile productivity features
When fake news, censorship make it harder to tackle a coronavirus
TAGGED:data breachK BoxPDPCpersonal dataSingpass

Sign up for the TG newsletter

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link Print
Avatar photo
ByAlfred Siew
Follow:
Alfred is a writer, speaker and media instructor who has covered the telecom, media and technology scene for more than 20 years. Previously the technology correspondent for The Straits Times, he now edits the Techgoondu.com blog and runs his own technology and media consultancy.
Previous Article Ears on: Sennheiser HD 800 S
Next Article Goondu review: Huawei P9
Leave a Comment

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
XFollow

Latest News

Promising speed and better coverage, Singtel 5G+ targets premium users
Mobile Telecom
May 15, 2025
Fujifilm GFX100RF review: Fun medium-format street photography camera
Imaging
May 14, 2025
Looks over AI? Samsung pitches slimmed-down Galaxy S25 Edge
Cellphones Mobile
May 13, 2025
Stunning AI advancements could transform healthcare, education and agriculture globally: Bill Gates
Internet
May 7, 2025

Techgoondu.com is published by Goondu Media Pte Ltd, a company registered and based in Singapore.

.

Started in June 2008 by technology journalists and ex-journalists in Singapore who share a common love for all things geeky and digital, the site now includes segments on personal computing, enterprise IT and Internet culture.

banner banner
Everyday DIY
PC needs fixing? Get your hands on with the latest tech tips
READ ON
banner banner
Leaders Q&A
What tomorrow looks like to those at the leading edge today
FIND OUT
banner banner
Advertise with us
Discover unique access and impact with TG custom content
SHOW ME

 

 

POWERED BY READYSPACE
The Techgoondu website is powered by and managed by Readyspace Web Hosting.

TechgoonduTechgoondu
© 2024 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Terms of Use | Advertise | About Us | Contact
Join Us!
Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
 

Loading Comments...
 

    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Username or Email Address
    Password

    Lost your password?