Singapore.gov bans Net

Singapore will reportedly disconnect more than 100,000 government workers' computers from the Internet.

As reported by The Straits Times, the measure has been adopted to stop leaks of information from the city-state's government to the wider world.

Workers' own devices will be allowed to access the internet, provided they cannot also access government email. The Times says workers will be able to forward email to private accounts and those who must have internet access as part of their jobs will be given dedicated machines.

Singapore is a democracy, but is not big on civil liberties. Residents don't agitate strongly for more freedom, if only because the nation enjoys very high living standards and firm rule of law compared to most of its neighbours. Removing internet access for government workers in the name of security will probably not be considered unreasonable.

That Edward Snowden smuggled out documents on USB drives may, however, make it possible to state a case that the disconnection measures are not likely to stop all leaks. ®