Continued Use of Facsimile for Communications with Government Agencies, and Pursuit of Digital and Safer Alternatives

Ms Diana Pang Li Yen asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) how prevalent is the continued use of fax communications between law firms and agencies, such as HDB, CPF Board, Singapore Land Authority (SLA), and banks; (b) whether there are plans or timelines to phase out fax in favour of secure digital communications; and (c) and how such changes will be implemented to safeguard data security and operational continuity.

Mrs Josephine Teo: The Ministry of Digital Development and Information does not track the usage of fax communications. We understand that law firms generally use email or online channels instead of fax to communicate with Government agencies and banks. We do not have plans to phase out fax communications as a policy and will leave it to organisations to decide if they still require it.