Regulations for Use of Smart Glasses with AI Capabilities by Public Service Officers

Ms Hany Soh asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance whether the Government considers it necessary to ban or restrict the usage of smart glasses with AI capabilities by public service officers during work in order to prevent or minimise the risk of breaches of the Official Secrets Act 1935.

Mr Chan Chun Sing (for the Prime Minister): The Government takes the protection of official information seriously.

As the Ministry of Digital Development and Information has explained in response to Parliamentary Questions this year, existing laws and safeguards apply to the use of AI-enabled smart glasses, including rules governing photography and audio or video recording. In addition, for public officers, the Public Service Code of Conduct requires officers to safeguard the confidentiality of official information. Officers must comply with the Official Secrets Act and Government security requirements.

Public officers are expected to exercise due care and must not improperly record, retain or disclose classified information. This applies irrespective of whether they are using smart glasses, mobile phones or any other electronic devices.

Officers who fail to comply with the rules will be taken to task under the law or internal disciplinary proceedings. We will continue to review our safeguards as technologies and the associated risks evolve.