Infocomm Media Development Authority

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) is a statutory board under the Singapore Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).

History
The Telecommunication Authority of Singapore (TAS) was the statutory board that acted as the national regulator and promoter of the telecommunication and postal industries in Singapore. Prior to 1992, the TAS also managed postal and telecommunications services until Singtel and Singapore Post were split off from the board as corporatised entities.

In 1999, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) was formed in 1999 from the merger of the TAS and National Computer Board (NCB).

Following the passing of the Info-communications Media Development Authority Bill in Parliament on 16 August 2016, the IDA and the Media Development Authority (MDA) were restructured and merged into the IMDA with effect from 30 September that year.

Key Functions
IMDA provides numerous programmes, policies and grants that cater to industries and communities. IMDA also protects consumers' privacy through the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC).

Classifications
There are classification systems for the following types of media: films, TV programs, video games, and arts entertainment (e.g., theatrical productions).

Films and TV
Films and TV programs both use the same rating system. Free-to-air TV content must also adhere to additional restrictions, as outlined in Section 5 of the Content Code.

Video games
Following a controversy in November 2007, in which the government banned the video game Mass Effect, and then unbanned it a day later, over concerns that the game featured homosexuality, the IMDA announced that it would create a new classification system for games in early 2008. Therefore, starting from April 2008, video games that were sold in Singapore were required to undergo classification.

As of 2022, there are 2 ratings in the classification system. A "General" decision also exists, where those games do not require Singapore-specific rating labels. Games only need to be classified if they are physically sold in Singapore - however, some digital storefronts like Steam may display the IMDA rating to Singaporean users if one is present.