Is Watching, Downloading or Filming Porn Illegal in Singapore?

Contents Menu
- What is Porn?
- Is Streaming or Watching Porn Online Legal in Singapore?
- Is Broadcasting Porn Online Legal in Singapore?
- Is Downloading or Possessing Porn Legal in Singapore?
- Is Filming or Making Porn Legal in Singapore?
- Is Importing or Selling Porn Legal in Singapore?
- Is Sharing Porn for Non-Commercial Purposes Legal in Singapore?
- Summary Table
What is Porn?
Pornography is any obscene material such as videos, pictures, and magazines that hold sexually explicit or obscene images which are meant to arouse or sexually excite a person.
Is Streaming or Watching Porn Online Legal in Singapore?
It is not illegal to stream and watch pornographic content online in Singapore.
The Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA), however, has banned approximately 100 porn websites as a symbolic gesture that Singaporean values do not condone the viewing of pornographic content.
The main purpose of the ban was to prevent young children and the youth from accidentally (or even purposefully) accessing these websites. Nevertheless, the IMDA does not monitor or restrict one’s access to online content, beyond these websites.
Is Broadcasting Porn Online Legal in Singapore?
As per IMDA’s Internet Code of Practice, Internet Service Providers and Internet Content Providers licensed under the Broadcasting Act are required to use best efforts to ensure that prohibited material, such as pornographic material, is not broadcast to the public in Singapore.
The IMDA is empowered to impose fines on licensees found to have not done so.
Is Downloading or Possessing Porn Legal in Singapore?
In Singapore, it is illegal to keep, possess or download porn under the Undesirable Publications Act and the Films Act. This is regardless of whether the porn is in physical or digital form, and even if the porn was for personal use.
If you are found to be possessing pornographic films, you can be fined up to $20,000 and/or jailed for up to 6 months under section 30(1) of the Films Act. The penalties are higher if you are found to have known, or to have had reasonable cause to believe, that the film in your possession was obscene.
First-time offenders can be fined up to a maximum of $40,000 and/or jail for up to 12 months, while subsequent offenders can be fined up to $80,000 and/or jail for up to 2 years.
Generally, in Singapore, if you are found in possession of obscene films for your own personal use rather than for public distribution, the courts may choose to only impose a fine on you rather than a jail term.
This practice is best seen in the case of PP v Chandran s/o Natesan, where the court imposed a fine of $20,000 instead of a jail term on the defendant for possessing 291 obscene films for his own personal use as this was not a “serious offence.”
In the case of PP v Ng Hock Seong however, the court chose to jail the offender even though the pornographic videos in his possession were for personal use. Therefore to be safe, it is recommended that you do not download or keep any form of pornographic material.
Possession of voyeuristic content
Under section 377BD of the Penal Code, the possession of, or gaining access to, voyeuristic or intimate images or recordings of another person, is an offence.
Intimate images refer to images of someone’s private areas (breasts/genitals etc) whether bare or clothed, or images of someone performing a private act.
You are deemed to have possession of these images or recordings if you control access to their electronic versions, such as by viewing them online or sending them to yourself. It does not matter that you do not having physical possession of the electronic image or recording.
You can be found guilty of this offence if you know that the intimate images or recordings are obtained by illegally filming someone, such as an up-skirt video of a person.
You can also be found guilty if you have reason to believe that the intimate images or recordings are in your possession without the consent of the person in the image or recordings, and such possession would cause distress, alarm or humiliation to them.
This offence also includes images or recordings that you gained access to as a result of “revenge porn” (explained further below).
If you possess such voyeuristic or intimate images or recordings, you can be jailed for a term of up to 2 years and/or fined. If the person in the recordings or images is under the age of 14, you will be jailed for up to a term of 2 years, and either fined or caned.
Is Filming or Making Porn Legal in Singapore?
It is illegal under the Films Act to make or reproduce obscene films, even if these are not for distribution or exhibition to the public.
If you do so, you can be fined up to $40,000 and/or jailed for up to 2 years. If you are a repeat offender, the maximum fine is increased to $100,000.
As for the taking of obscene photos, you can be fined up to $2,000 and/or jailed up to 2 years under the Undesirable Publications Act if the photos were taken in order to supply or distribute them to others.
Voyeurism
Under section 377BB of the Penal Code, it will also be an offence to make voyeuristic content of someone.
Making voyeuristic content of someone includes recording someone partaking in a private act, or recording images of their private areas (such as up-skirt videos), without their consent.
If convicted of this offence, you can be jailed for up to 2 years, fined or caned (or any combination of these). If the person is under the age of 14 years, jail of up to 2 years is compulsory, and you will also be fined or caned.
Is Importing or Selling Porn Legal in Singapore?
It is illegal to import or sell any form of pornographic content (be it in physical copies or digital copies of films, pictures and magazines) in Singapore.
Import or sale of pornographic films
If you are a first-time offender caught in possession of pornographic films with an intention to distribute, or distributing such films, you can be fined up to $80,000 and/or jailed for up to 2 years under section 29(3) of the Films Act.
If you are a first-time offender caught importing such films, you can be fined up to $40,000 and/or jailed for up to 12 months.
Repeat offenders for either offence can be fined up to $100,000 and/or jailed for up to 2 years.
Import or sale of pornographic publications
If you are caught in possession of/importing pornographic publications (such as magazines, photos and pamphlets) for the purposes of selling or distributing, or you are caught selling or distributing such pornographic publications, you can be fined for up to $10,000 and/or jailed for up to 2 years under section 11 of the Undesirable Publications Act.
Under section 292 of the Penal Code, you can also be fined and/or jailed for up to 3 months for selling, distributing, importing, exhibiting, or advertising obscene publications.
If such sale, distribution or exhibition is made to a person under 21 years old, you are liable to be jailed for up to 1 year and/or fined.
Is Sharing Porn for Non-Commercial Purposes Legal in Singapore?
Posting nudes online
Under section 292 of the Penal Code, it is an offence to transmit obscene objects electronically, e.g. by posting a person’s nude photos or videos online. The maximum punishment is a fine or up to 3 months’ jail, or both.
If the subject of the nude photo or video reasonably appears or can be implied to be below 16 years old, the maximum punishment is a fine or up to 2 years’ jail, or both.
Cyber-flashing
Section 377BF of the Penal Code criminalises the sharing of pornographic images of his or another person’s genitals to someone, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification or causing humiliation, distress or alarm to the recipient, without the recipient’s consent. This is also known as “cyber-flashing.”
If you were to share such pornographic images without the recipient’s consent, you can be jail for a term of up to 1 year and/or fined. If the image had been sent to someone under the age of 14, jail for up to 2 years is compulsory, and you will also be fined or caned.
Distributing of voyeuristic content
Section 377BC of the Penal Code criminalises the distribution of voyeuristic content.
If you are caught distributing such voyeuristic content without the subject’s consent, you can be jailed for up to 5 years, fined or caned (or any combination of these).
If the voyeuristic content is of a person under the age of 14 years, jail for up to 5 years is compulsory, and you will also be fined or caned.
Showing porn to minors
It is an offence under section 376ED of the Penal Code to show sexual images, including pornographic content, to a minor below 16 years old for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification or causing the minor humiliation, alarm or distress.
If convicted of this offence, you can jailed for up to 1 year and/or fined. If the victim is below 14 and you did not have reason to believe that they are 14 years old or older, you can be jailed up to 3 years and/or fined.
Revenge porn
Revenge porn is where a person distributes intimate images or recordings of someone they were once in a relationship with, with the knowledge that their ex does not consent to the distribution. More often than not, this is done to humiliate or intimidate their ex as an act of revenge.
Persons who commit revenge porn under section 377BE of the Penal Code, knowing that this will likely cause humiliation, distress or alarm to the subject of the images or recordings, can be jailed for up to 5 years, fined or caned (or any combination of these).
If the content is of a person under the age of 14 years, jail for up to 5 years is compulsory, and you will also be fined or caned.
Summary Table
In summary, it is not illegal to view or stream pornographic content in Singapore. However, it is illegal to make, distribute, import, sell, advertise and even possess and download any form of pornographic content.
The following table is a summary of the various offences and corresponding punishments for making, possessing, distributing, exhibiting and selling pornographic content in Singapore:
Streaming Porn | ||
No criminal sanctions | ||
Downloading or Possessing Porn | ||
Section 30(1) of Films Act | Possessing obscene films, either in physical or digital form | Fine of up to $20,000, and/or jail for up to 6 months |
Section 30(2) of Films Act | Possessing obscene films knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the films are obscene | First-time offenders: Fine of up to $40,000 and/or jail for up to 12 months
Subsequent offences: Fine of up to $80,000 and/or jail for up to 2 years |
Possession of voyeuristic content
Section 377BD of Penal Code |
Possessing voyeuristic content with knowledge/reason to believe that such content was distributed or obtained without the subject’s consent | Jail for up to 2 years and/or a fine
If subject is below 14 years: Compulsory jail term of up to 2 years, and liable for fine or caning |
Importing/Selling Pornographic Films | ||
Section 29(2) of Films Act | Importing obscene films knowing or having reasonable cause to know that the films are obscene | First-time offenders: Fine of up to $40,000 and/or jail for up to 2 years
Subsequent offences: Fine of up to $100,000 and/or jail for up to 2 years |
Section 29(3) of Films Act | Possessing with the purpose to distribute or distributing obscene films knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the films are obscene | First-time Offenders: Fine of up to $80,000 and/or jail for up to 2 years
Subsequent offences: Fine of up to $100,000 and/or jail for up to 2 years |
Filming or Making Porn | ||
Section 29(1) of Films Act | Making or reproducing obscene films knowing or with reasonable cause to know that it is obscene | First-time offenders: fine of up to $40,000 and/or jail for up to 2 years
Subsequent offences: Fine of up to $100,000 and/or jail for up to 2 years |
Section 11 of Undesirable Publications Act | Making or reproducing obscene publications for the purposes of sale or distribution | Fine of up to $10,000 and/or jail for up to 2 years |
Voyeurism
Section 377BB of Penal Code |
Recording someone partaking in a private act/or
Recording someone’s private parts without their consent |
Jail for up to 2 years, a fine, caning or any combination of these
If subject is under the age of 14 years: Compulsory jail term of up to 2 years, and liable for fine or caning |
Importing/Selling Pornographic Publications | ||
Section 11 of Undesirable Publications Act | Possessing obscene publications for the purpose of selling or distributing the publications
Distributing/Exhibiting/Selling/Importing such obscene publications |
Fine of up to $10,000 and/or jail for up to 2 years |
Sections 292 and 293 of Penal Code | Distributing/Exhibiting/Selling/Importing/Advertising such obscene publications | Jail for a term up to 3 months, and/or a fine
If the sale etc. is to a person under the age of 21 years: |
Sharing Porn for Non-Commercial Purposes | ||
Transmission of obscene objects electronically
Section 292 of the Penal Code |
Transmission of obscene objects (such as images and videos) through electronic means | Jail for up to 3 months and/or a fine
If subject is under the age of 16 years: Jail for up to 2 years and/or a fine |
Cyber-flashing
Section 377BF of Penal Code |
Sharing pornographic images of one’s own or a third-party’s genitals to someone, without their consent, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification | Jail for up to 1 year and/or a fine
If subject is under the age of 14 years: Compulsory jail term of up to 2 years, and liable for fine or caning |
Distribution of voyeuristic content
Section 377BC of Penal Code |
Distributing voyeuristic content or an intimate image or recording of someone without their consent | Jail for up to 5 years, a fine, caning or any combination of these
If subject is under the age of 14 years: Compulsory jail term of up to 5 years, and liable for fine or caning |
Showing sexual images to a minor
Section 376ED of Penal Code |
Showing sexual images, including pornographic content, to a minor below 16 years old for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification or causing the minor humiliation, alarm or distress | Jail for up to 1 year, a fine or both
If subject is under the age of 14 years: |
Revenge porn
Section 377BE of Penal Code |
Distributing or threatening to distribute an intimate image or recording of someone without their consent | Jail for up to 5 years, a fine, caning or any combination of these
If subject is under the age of 14 years: Compulsory jail term of up to 5 years, and liable for fine or caning |
- Singapore’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction: What Does It Mean?
- Your Right to a Lawyer After Being Arrested in Singapore
- What to Do If Your Loved One is Under Police Investigation
- How to Write a Letter of Representation to AGC in Singapore
- What is Entrapment and is It Legal in Singapore?
- What Happens When You Voluntarily Surrender to the Police
- Juvenile Crime: What If Your Child is Arrested in Singapore?
- Seized Assets in Money Laundering Investigations: What Happens To Them?
- Tasers, Batons, Shields & Firearms: When Do the Police Use Them?
- Stopped by the Singapore Police For Spot Checks, Etc: What to Do
- What is the Appropriate Adult Scheme in Singapore?
- Police Investigation Process for Crimes in Singapore (4 Steps)
- Arrest Warrant Issued Against You in Singapore: What to Do
- Police Arrest Procedure in Singapore
- Arrestable and Non-Arrestable Offences in Singapore
- What Should You Do If You Witness a Crime in Singapore?
- Can the Public Make a Citizen's Arrest in Singapore?
- What to Do If You’re Being Investigated for a Criminal Offence in Singapore
- "Right to Remain Silent" to Singapore Police: Does It Exist?
- Police Custody in Singapore: What You Should Know
- Search Warrant: The Issuance and Execution of It in Singapore
- Penalties for Lying to the Authorities in Singapore
- Can You Say No to a Lie Detector Test in Singapore? And Other FAQs
- Surrender of Passport to the Police and How to Get It Back
- Extradition: What If I Flee After Committing Crime in Singapore
- Making Objections at Trial in the Singapore Courts
- When is a Witness Testimony Unreliable in Singapore?
- Burden of Proof in Criminal and Civil Cases in Singapore
- Falsely Accused of a Crime in Singapore: Your Next Steps
- What is Acquittal & How Can One Be Acquitted in Singapore?
- Using the Defence of Diminished Responsibility in Singapore
- Death of a Party in a Legal Case in Singapore: What Happens?
- The "Unusually Convincing" Test in "He Said, She Said" Cases
- How to Adjourn or Postpone a Criminal Court Hearing
- TIC: Guide to Charges Taken Into Consideration in Singapore
- Can I Use the Defence of Intoxication in Singapore?
- When Can I Raise the Defence of Provocation in Singapore?
- Writing Character References For Court: What’s Their Purpose?
- Giving False vs. Wrong Evidence: What’s the Difference?
- Can I Represent Myself in a Criminal Court Case in Singapore and How?
- Claiming Trial as an Accused
- Pleading Guilty in Singapore: Consequences & Withdrawal of Plea
- The Defence of Unsound Mind in Singapore: What is It?
- Gag Orders in Singapore: Whose Identity Can be Protected?
- Mitigation Plea: How to Plead for Leniency in Court in Singapore
- Recidivism: What Happens If You Reoffend in Singapore?
- Guide to Filing a Criminal Appeal in Singapore
- Criminal Motion: What is It and How to File One in Singapore
- Guide to Filing a Criminal Revision in Singapore
- Presidential Clemency in Singapore
- Repatriation or Deportation from Singapore: How Does It Work?
- Criminal Records in Singapore
- Visiting a Loved One in Prison or On Death Row in Singapore
- Getting Parole (Early Prison Release) in Singapore
- Fined for an Offence: What to Do If I Can't Afford to Pay Them?
- How Long Is Life Imprisonment in Singapore? And Other FAQs
- Corrective Training and Its Consequences in Singapore
- Consequences of Receiving a Stern Warning in Singapore
- Probation: Eligibility and Whether It Leaves a Criminal Record
- How Can Adult Offenders Get Probation in Singapore?
- Reformative Training in Singapore: When Will It be Ordered?
- Are You Eligible for a Mandatory Treatment Order (MTO)?
- Caning in Singapore: Judicial, School & Parental Corporal Punishment
- 7 Detention Orders in Singapore: When Will They be Ordered?
- Day Reporting Order: Eligibility and Offender's Obligations
- Ragging and Bullying: Their Penalties and What Victims Can Do
- Laws Protecting Informers/Whistleblowers in Singapore
- Counterfeit Medicine/Health Products: Redress for Victims in Singapore
- Breach of Protection Orders: What Can Victims Do?
- Using Your Right to Self-Defence When Attacked in Singapore
- Compensation for Crime Victims in Singapore: How to Obtain
- Rape Laws in Singapore and How Offenders Can Be Punished
- Sexual Misconduct in Singapore: Offences and What Victims Can Do
- Falsely Accused of Rape in Singapore: What to Do
- Incest and Family Sexual Abuse: Penalties and Victim Protection
- How are Sexual Offenders with Special Needs Penalised?
- Cybersexual Crimes in Singapore and Their Penalties
- Legal Age for Sex in Singapore and Common Sexual Offences
- Consent in Sexual Offences in Singapore and What Victims Can Do
- Accused of Molest: Outrage of Modesty in Singapore
- What Can Victims of Sexual Harassment in Singapore Do?
- What is the Law on Sexting in Singapore?
- Revenge Porn: What If Your Nudes are Leaked in Singapore?
- Crime of Voyeurism in Singapore (Penalties and Defences)
- Date Rape: What to Do If Your Drink Has Been Unlawfully Spiked?
- STDs: Can I Go to the Police If a Partner Infected Me in Singapore?
- Alcohol Breathalyser Test in Singapore: Can You Refuse it?
- Are Sex Toys and Sex Dolls Legal in Singapore?
- Singapore's Legal Smoking Age & Common Smoking Offences
- Is Vaping Illegal in Singapore?
- Legal Drinking Age and Drinking-Related Laws in Singapore
- Is Watching, Downloading or Filming Porn Illegal in Singapore?
- Child Pornography in Singapore: Offences and Penalties
- Laws on Procuring Sex Workers & Sexual Services in Singapore
- Singapore's Drug Laws: Possession, Consumption and Trafficking
- Gambling Legally (at Home, in Public or Online) in Singapore
- The Offence of Human Trafficking in Singapore and Its Penalties
- Penalties For Buying Stolen Goods in Singapore
- Penalties for Committing Theft in Singapore
- Committing Robbery in Singapore: What are the Penalties?
- Penalties for Dishonest Misappropriation of Property in Singapore
- Vandalism Laws: Penalties for Damaging Property in Singapore
- Criminal Trespass in Singapore: What Happens If You’re Caught?
- Penalties for Littering Offences in Singapore
- What is a POFMA Correction Direction and How to Appeal
- Penalties for Cheating/Scamming and What Victims Can Do
- Penalties for Impersonating Someone and Victim Redress
- Singapore Fake News Laws: Guide to POFMA (Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act)
- Laws and Penalties for Doxxing in Singapore (With Examples)
- Tax Evasion in Singapore: Penalties and Examples
- Criminal Breach of Trust (CBT) in Singapore: What is It?
- All You Need to Know About Corruption in Singapore
- Anti-Money Laundering Laws and You
- 5 Things You Need to Know about Insider Trading
- Dishonest Assistance and Knowing Receipt: The Case of David Rasif
- Charged with a Traffic Offence in Singapore: What to Do
- DUI: Here are the Penalties for Drink-Driving in Singapore
- What Happens If You’re Caught Speeding in Singapore?
- Road Rage: What is It and How are Offenders Sentenced in Singapore
- Penalties for Dangerous Driving for Singapore Drivers
- Fatal Traffic Accidents: Are Drivers Always Punished?
- Guide to E-Scooter and PMD Laws for Singapore Riders
- Is it Legal for Drivers to Carpool in Singapore?
- Radicalisation and Terror Attack-Related Penalties in Singapore
- Causing a Public Nuisance in Singapore: What are the Penalties?
- Causing Public Alarm in Singapore: Examples & Penalties
- Public Assemblies and Processions in Singapore
- Misbehaving in Public: 5 Things You Need to Know
- Racial Enmity: Sections 298 and 298A Penal Code Explained
- Religious Cults in Singapore: Are they Illegal? Penalties & More
- Penalties for Financing Terrorist Operations in Singapore
- Penalties for Abetting Minors or Committing Crimes Against Them
- Misusing the Singapore Flag and Other National Symbols
- Here are the Penalties for Committing Forgery in Singapore
- Arson and Fire-Related Offences and Their Penalties in Singapore
- Offences Against the Dead and What Family Members Can Do
- Laws on Prohibited, Replica and Self-Defence Weapons
- Laws to Tackle High-Rise Littering in Singapore
- Penalties for Attempting to Commit a Crime in Singapore
- Penalties for Assaulting a Person in Singapore
- Expats Charged With Offences in Singapore: What to Expect
- What are the Penalties for Hiring Phantom Workers in Singapore?
- What Are Ponzi Schemes? Are They Illegal in Singapore?
- Modification of Cars, Motorcycles, Etc: Is It Legal in Singapore?
- Penalties for Illegal Immigration and Overstaying in Singapore
- Criminal Intimidation: Penalties for Making Threats in Singapore