Singapore admits police can access contact-tracing data

13 Sept 14:49 Key points summarised by AI

Singapore's government revealed police can access "TraceTogether" contact-tracing data for criminal investigations, despite earlier assurances of its exclusive use for COVID-19.
This admission sparked significant privacy concerns and criticism from human rights groups, who accuse the government of exploiting the pandemic for increased surveillance.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stated police have accessed the data only once for a murder investigation, defending the government's transparency.
The revelation has led to public anger and feelings of betrayal among Singaporeans, who previously increased their adoption of the mandatory contact-tracing system based on privacy promises.

Detained Suu Kyi receives UK royal package: Myanmar govt

Yesterday 03:08 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar's detained Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, received a package from Britain's King Charles III, which included two gardening books, a sealed envelope, and diplomatic communication.
The event marked the first release of images of Suu Kyi in two months and saw Myanmar authorities describe her as a "special female prisoner" for the first time.
Suu Kyi, who was deposed in a 2021 military coup that triggered an ongoing civil war, remains under house arrest on charges that rights groups contend are politically motivated.