On 18 February 2022, Member of Parliament Ms Sylvia Lim (“Ms Lim”) said in Parliament that she had received a threat warning from Apple informing her that her iPhone could be the subject of hacking by state-sponsored attackers. She had asked for confirmation that she should have no concerns that Singapore Government agencies were trying to hack into her phone. In response, Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam confirmed in Parliament that Singapore Government agencies have not hacked into her phone.
This is a very serious allegation and because of the potential implications on national security, the Minister for Home Affairs has asked the Police to follow up with Ms Lim to look into the matter. The Police had written to Ms Lim to advise her to file a Police report. Alternatively, if she does not wish to file a report, she can hand over her phone to the Police, so that a forensic examination can be conducted. The Minister has also directed that Police engage a commercial organisation with expertise in this field to conduct the examination, rather than the Police itself. He has also directed that Police put in place a secure, auditable and transparent process to handle and examine her phone, from the point in time that Ms Lim hand over the phone, to its return to her.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
19 February 2022 @ 7:00 PM