Internet ban a threat to productivity in knowledge-based economy

The decision to sever Internet access from public servants’ workstations threatens the productivity of those officers and of the public who depend on their services (“Internet ruling for civil servants absolutely necessary: PM”; June 10).

The Infocomm Development Authority is pushing for a drastic measure to protect government data, but organisations in the private sector, such as those in banking, which have tight regulations for personal data protection, are spared such a ban.

Public officers have become increasingly dependent on the Internet for their work in this knowledge-based economy.

Despite remedial efforts to ensure that there is at least some access to the world, given the sheer volume of Internet-dependent work, the impact of these lifelines is minimal, like shining a torch out of an information black hole.

Such measures in the name of cybersecurity run counter to Singapore’s vision of being a Smart Nation and innovation hub.

In the eyes of other modern cities that face the same problems as ours, imposing this firewall is reflective of rigid thinking, akin to throwing our advances in connectivity back to the stone age of the Internet.