Alternative Singpass Identity Options Apart from Facial Verification

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) what alternative Singpass identity verification options are available for users with medical conditions that prevent facial verification, and who wish to set up digital tokens with banks; and (b) whether the Ministry will review current requirements to ensure that such users are not excluded from essential services while upholding security standards.

The Minister of State for Digital Development and Information (Ms Jasmin Lau) (for the Minister for Digital Development and Information): We are grateful to the Member, Ms Denise Phua, for caring for users with medical conditions.

The Member may refer to The Straits Times Forum letter reply issued jointly by the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on 4 February 2026, regarding alternative biometric or non-facial verification options for Singpass. As explained in the reply, there are alternative verification methods for users who are unable to use the facial recognition technology for reasons such as medical conditions or disabilities. Examples include one-time passwords or hardware tokens. Singpass users who require assistance may contact the Singpass team via email or call the Singpass helpdesk.

Organisations who have onboarded Singpass as a means for authentication are expected to have at least one non-Singpass alternative method for users.

The Government will continue to work with relevant stakeholders on alternative methods to facial recognition technology for all users to maintain accessibility to digital services.

Mr Speaker: Ms Phua.

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng (Jalan Besar): I thank the Minister of State for her assurance, assuring the House that there are indeed alternative identification methods available for those who are unable to use facial recognition. Just a couple of supplementary questions. Number one, are these measures systemic and applicable for all fully digital or not fully digital banks? Number two, are these available alternatives communicated? So that all the affected parties will know and they will not have to resort to raising the question in Forum letters, or even in this House.

Ms Jasmin Lau: MAS does require the banks to have alternative methods for verification. And for digital services that are offered by Government, we do make sure that we engage citizens across all ranges of abilities to test out our services, to ensure accessibility for all. On the point about public education, we can definitely do much better in communicating and explaining these different methods of access to our citizens.