SMU Centre for Digital Law, 55 Armenian Street, Singapore (2026)

08/09/2026

Commenting on Meta’s US$18 billion settlement in a landmark US lawsuit, Faculty Asst Prof Dirk Hartung shared his views in a 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘈𝘴𝘪𝘢 article on the possible implications of its new age restriction safeguards for young users.

The article examines whether Meta’s promised measures, including default daily time limits, night-time blocks, school-hour notification restrictions, enhanced age-restricted content controls, and non-algorithmic feed options, may be implemented more widely beyond the current settlement.

Asst Prof Hartung commented on the likelihood of Meta extending such measures beyond the terms of the settlement, as well as how the settlement may inform future litigation and regulation involving other social media platforms.

The article also discusses broader questions around social media regulation, youth online safety, platform design, and the implementation of safeguards for young users.

Read the full article here: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/facebook-instagram-teen-restrictions-social-media-lawsuit-6347956

07/09/2026

In a recent 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 article, Prof Sun Sun Lim, SMU Vice President (Partnerships and Engagement) and Affiliated Faculty, commented on the need for stronger safeguards for young users of AI chatbots.

The article discusses the growing use of generative AI chatbots and the potential online harms they may pose to young users, including exposure to harmful content, sexually explicit interactions, and unsafe advice. It also notes that while some AI companies have introduced safeguards for users under 18, approaches across platforms remain inconsistent.

Prof Lim argued that regulatory intervention, including mandatory age checks, should be extended to emerging technologies accessed by young people, including AI chatbots. She noted that such measures would help secure greater ownership by AI companies of their responsibilities towards younger users.

The article also examines existing and proposed approaches to age checks in Singapore, including requirements for app stores and possible extensions to social media services. It further highlights the challenge of ensuring consistent safeguards across AI platforms, as users may migrate to services with fewer restrictions if age checks are not implemented in a coordinated way.

As AI chatbots become increasingly embedded in digital services used by young people, Prof Lim’s comments underscore the importance of forward-looking regulation that places greater responsibility on technology companies to protect younger users.

Read the full article here: https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/its-time-to-mandate-age-checks-on-ai-chatbot-users-to-protect-those-under-18

04/09/2026

is pleased to share that our Research Affiliate Jose Luna contributed to TR 147:2026, 𝘊𝘺𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘓𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘔𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, recently published by the Singapore Standards Council.

Jose served as one of the conveners of Working Group 4 under the Artificial Intelligence Technical Committee (AITC-WG4), together with Prof. Sun Jun and Eileen Goh (alongside many other experts), contributing to the development of this novel Technical Reference.

TR 147:2026 provides cybersecurity guidance for organisations involved in the development, deployment, integration, or maintenance of large language model-based systems. It addresses the distinct security challenges of LLM applications, including their dependencies on datasets, model artefacts, open-source toolchains, infrastructure components, and integration environments.

The Technical Reference offers recommendations that organisations may adapt according to their system scale, operational context, and risk tolerance, supporting the development of AI risk management and governance frameworks in a fast-moving technological landscape.

More about TR 147:2026: https://www.singaporestandardseshop.sg/Product/SSPdtDetail/74accdae-b8e8-4d71-83be-683d4181ae58

03/09/2026

is thrilled to be hosting the 5th Computational Legal Studies Workshop 2026 (CLS 2026) at the SMU Yong Pung How School of Law on 7–8 September 2026.

Held for the fifth year running, CLS 2026 explores cutting-edge research on how emerging computational techniques, including AI, machine learning, and network science, can be harnessed to study and practice law.

This year’s two-day workshop will feature a strong line-up of speakers from academia and industry, with Day One focused on research and Day Two on industry applications. The programme will feature keynote addresses by Prof Altangerel Chagnaa from the Монгол Улсын Их Сургууль /The National University of Mongolia/ and Assoc Prof Benjamin Chen from The University of Hong Kong, together with a diverse line-up of speakers exploring the intersection of law, technology, and computation.

TechLaw.Fest attendees are also warmly invited to attend the workshop’s morning session on 7 September, from 10.00am to 12.30pm.

📅 7–8 September 2026
🕙 10.00am–6.00pm
📍 SMU Yong Pung How School of Law

Register here: https://eventregistration.smu.edu.sg/event/223693ba-7bc7-48a7-978b-108006032fd2/register

Learn more about the programme: https://site.smu.edu.sg/cls-2026 -programme

02/09/2026

On 25 August 2026, Alibaba Group and the SMU Centre for Digital Law co-organised a half-day seminar on 𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘨𝘦: 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 at SMU, bringing together leading IP practitioners, legal tech advisors, and industry experts to examine how AI and new forms of digital content distribution are shaping legal principles and copyright law.

The seminar opened with welcome remarks by SMUYPHSL Dean Prof Lee Pey Woan. We were privileged to have Mr Joseph Andersen, Senior Director of International Government Affairs and Head of Global Technology Policy at Alibaba Group, as our keynote speaker. Mr Andersen delivered an insightful address on the evolving landscape of copyright, AI, and digital innovation.

The first panel, 𝘈𝘐 𝘰𝘯 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭: 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘐 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜.𝘚., examined key legal arguments, judicial trends, and the broader implications of AI-related copyright disputes. The panel was moderated by Daniel Dougherty (Alibaba International), and featured Angela Dunning (Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP) and Felicia Boyd (Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP).

The second panel, 𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴: 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘓𝘢𝘻𝘢𝘥𝘢, 𝘔𝘗𝘈/𝘈𝘊𝘌, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘕𝘛𝘌𝘙𝘗𝘖𝘓 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐𝘚𝘋𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵, explored copyright enforcement and content protection in the digital environment. The panel was moderated by Jeff Zhao (Alibaba International), and featured Dawn Barriteau (Motion Picture Association), Joyce Ang (Alibaba International), Mok Ho Fai (Motion Picture Association), and Sungjin Hong (INTERPOL).

The seminar concluded with closing remarks by Director Assoc Prof Jason Grant Allen, who highlighted the importance of continued collaboration across law, technology, industry, and policy as copyright law adapts to the challenges of AI and digital content.

We extend our sincere thanks to Alibaba for co-organising this seminar with us, and to all speakers, moderators, panellists, and participants for their valuable contributions to this important conversation on AI, copyright, innovation, and access.

21/08/2026

was delighted to host External Research Fellow Assoc Prof Gilad Abiri from Peking University School of Transnational Law for an insightful seminar on 𝘌𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘶𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

Based on a new piece co-authored with Prof Emanuel V. Towfigh, the seminar examined how generative AI may encode the majority’s way of knowing as the default infrastructure of knowledge itself. Assoc Prof Abiri explored how minority epistemologies may remain present in training data, yet become structurally subordinated in model outputs through the statistical baselines and dominant cultural frameworks embedded in large-scale AI systems.

The discussion considered why this form of harm may not be adequately addressed through conventional bias audits or downstream regulation. Instead, the paper argues that if epistemic subordination is produced at the level of model training, legal and governance responses must also learn to engage at that level.

We are grateful to Assoc Prof Abiri for sharing this thought-provoking work and for advancing important conversations on generative AI, knowledge production, equality, and technology governance.

18/08/2026

In a new commentary titled 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦: 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘈𝘐 𝘪𝘯 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦, Faculty Member Asst Prof Lim How Khang examines how Singapore governs AI in practice without enacting a horizontal AI law.

Published by Tech for Good Institute, Asst Prof Lim examines Singapore’s distinctive approach to AI governance. Rather than enacting a horizontal AI law, Singapore has developed a calibrated model built on three layers: an enforceable baseline of existing laws, swift and targeted legislative interventions where specific gaps arise, and an assurance layer that enables firms to assess, test, document, and demonstrate responsible AI practices.

Asst Prof Lim highlights how tools such as AI Verify, the Global AI Assurance Sandbox, and sectoral guidelines and sandboxes help translate AI governance principles into evidence that can support compliance, procurement, stakeholder trust, and responsible deployment. Asst Prof Lim argues that this approach reflects Singapore’s broader regulatory strengths as a small, open economy where institutional trust, regulatory predictability, and AI adoption are closely linked.

With the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement expected to shape regional digital cooperation, the piece offers a timely reflection on whether assurance can become shared infrastructure for AI governance across borders.

Read the commentary here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VY9tIvN5lG7V6uYRxgkMooLwFG8oe76u/view

17/08/2026

In a new article titled 𝘛𝘸𝘰 𝘓𝘢𝘸𝘴 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘛𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘩: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘒𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘯𝘢𝘮 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘈𝘴𝘪𝘢 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘈𝘐, Industry Fellow Drew Hasson examines what Asia’s only two AI laws with real enforcement teeth reveal about how the region may regulate AI in the years ahead.

The article examines how South Korea’s AI Basic Act and Vietnam’s Law on Artificial Intelligence signal two distinct regulatory approaches emerging in Asia. While South Korea’s framework points towards market-access gatekeeping and support for domestic AI capabilities, Vietnam’s approach focuses more heavily on control over infrastructure, data centres, localisation, and the physical layer on which AI systems depend.

Drew argues that these developments reflect broader regional instincts: East Asia is likely to gatekeep the market, while Southeast Asia may focus on controlling the ground on which AI runs. The piece offers a timely perspective on AI regulation, digital sovereignty, and how geopolitical pressures may shape the next phase of AI governance in Asia.

Read the full article here: https://medium.com//two-laws-with-teeth-what-korea-and-vietnam-reveal-about-how-asia-will-regulate-ai-2555313a05b5?postPublishedType=repub

14/08/2026

Yesterday, was delighted to co-organise a Fireside Chat with Victoria Espinel, President and CEO of BSA The Software Alliance, in partnership with BSA and YouthTechsg.

The session brought together SMU Law students for an engaging conversation on the AI questions shaping the legal and policy professions. Drawing on her extensive experience at the intersection of government, industry, and technology, Victoria shared insights on global AI policy debates, the evolving regulatory landscape, and the practical challenges organisations face in adopting AI responsibly.

Moderated by Chloe Koh and chaired by Shhreya Balasubramanian, both SMU Computing & Law students and members of YouthTechSG, the discussion also explored what these developments mean for the next generation of lawyers and policy professionals, including how legal training, critical thinking, judgment, and adaptability will continue to matter in a profession increasingly shaped by AI.

We extend our sincere thanks to Victoria Espinel for her thoughtful reflections and generous sharing, and to BSA and YouthTechSG for partnering with us on this meaningful session. We also thank all participants who joined us for the discussion.

11/08/2026

warmly congratulates Professor Ching-Fu Lin, External Research Fellow at the SMU Centre for Digital Law and former Co-Chair of the ASIL International Law and Technology Interest Group, on his inclusion in the World Trade Organization - WTO Indicative List of Governmental and Non-Governmental Panelists.

This is a well-deserved recognition of Prof Lin’s outstanding contributions to WTO law, AI and semiconductor regulation, international economic law, and global health law. His work continues to advance important conversations at the intersection of international trade, technology governance, and global regulatory cooperation.

SMU Centre for Digital Law

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