Latest news with #CompetitionandConsumerCommissionofSingapore
Business Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
TalkMed shareholders approve Tamarind Health's privatisation offer
[SINGAPORE] Shareholders of TalkMed on Tuesday (Jul 15) approved a proposed privatisation offer from Tamarind Health. Ninety-eight shareholders, representing 89.1 per cent of those present and voting at an extraordinary general meeting of the comapny, voted for the scheme meeting resolution. The shareholders in favour held a total of 1.2 billion shares, or 99.9 per cent of the total shares represented at the meeting. On Dec 23, 2024, TW Troy, a special-purpose vehicle managed by Tamarind Health, proposed to privatise mainboard-listed TalkMed by way of a scheme of arrangement, at S$0.456 per share. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore cleared the proposed acquisition on Jun 27. Following the approval given by shareholders at the meeting, TalkMed said it will submit to the court its application to sanction the scheme. The company expects the hearing for this application to be held on or around Aug 5, and the last day for its shares to be traded to be on or around Aug 8. Its books are expected to be closed at 5 pm on Aug 19. Subject to the grant of the court order and satisfaction of all the scheme conditions, the scheme will become effective and binding once the court order is lodged with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority. TalkMed expects the effective date to be Aug 20. Payment of the scheme consideration is expected to be by Aug 29, before the company's delisting by Sep 2. In a separate filing on Tuesday evening, TalkMed requested the lifting of trading halt, which began earlier in the day. Shares in the company last traded at S$0.455.
AsiaOne
03-07-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
Daily roundup: Car detailing shop admits using ChatGPT to write fake 5-star reviews on sgCarMart — and other top stories today, World News
Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. Car detailing shop admits using ChatGPT to write fake 5-star reviews on sgCarMart The owner of a local automotive detailer has admitted to generating fake five-star customer reviews and posting them on its business page on popular online car platform sgCarMart for the last two years. This comes after the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) launched an investigation into Lambency Detailing in January, following a customer complaint regarding unauthorised reviews using her name... » READ MORE 2. 'I learnt my lesson': Jackson Wang recounts losing '30% to 40%' of income after lending money to someone Jackson Wang's popularity stems not just from his good looks and talent, but also his kindheartedness, which has often captured the hearts of his fans worldwide. But it seems that his good nature has also resulted in him losing a large sum of money... » READ MORE 3. Craving the king of fruit? These places have all-you-can-eat durian buffets Durian season is upon us, which means that it's the best time to indulge in the king of fruit. If you want to enjoy some free-flow durian, several restaurants and supermarkets are offering all-you-can-eat buffets for not just the fruit, but unique durian dishes too like Durian Chicken Soup and Sambal Durian Roasted Chicken... » READ MORE 4. 'Cracks in the wall': Shatec reportedly closing down amid operational difficulties Shatec, a hospitality and tourism training institute in Singapore, is reportedly shutting down after more than 40 years of operation, due to operational difficulties. Chinese publication Shin Min Daily News reported that real estate firm CBRE has been appointed as the exclusive marketing agent for Shatec's main campus building at Bukit Batok Street 22... » READ MORE editor@
Singapore Law Watch
01-07-2025
- Business
- Singapore Law Watch
Consumer watchdog CCCS to take over EnterpriseSG in regulating consumer protection matters
Consumer watchdog CCCS to take over EnterpriseSG in regulating consumer protection matters Source: Straits Times Article Date: 01 Jul 2025 Author: Anjali Raguraman Businesses and consumers can approach the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) for matters relating to fair trading practices, consumer product safety requirements, and weights and measures compliance. From July 1, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) will expand its regulatory functions over consumer protection matters. Both the Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) and the Weights and Measures Office (WMO) – which were previously under Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) – will come under CCCS, the competition watchdog said on June 30. Businesses and consumers can approach CCCS for matters relating to fair trading practices, consumer product safety requirements, and weights and measures compliance, it added. 'Ensuring that businesses operating in Singapore sell products that meet requisite safety standards, as well as adopt accurate measurements when dealing with consumers, is integral to cultivating robust and fair competition, which translates to better opportunities for businesses and consumers alike,' CCCS said. By combining competition enforcement with robust consumer protection oversight, it said it would 'have a fuller set of tools available' to continue to strengthen market integrity, promote business innovation and foster a more trusted trading environment. Both CCCS and EnterpriseSG are statutory boards under the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI). The transfer, which consolidates consumer protection, legal metrology and competition functions under the CCCS, comes off the back of the Competition (Amendment) Act 2025 coming into effect. It was introduced in Parliament in March under the Competition (Amendment) Bill. Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling said in April that the transfer would consolidate and streamline Singapore's regulatory landscape on consumer protection. 'This will enhance CCCS' oversight of consumer protection issues and relevant regulations, and strengthen its ability to engage both consumers and businesses on consumer protection matters,' she said. Ms Low noted that consumer markets are constantly evolving and becoming more diverse, from digital goods and online marketplaces to groceries and daily essentials. She added that industries were being actively consulted as part of a more fundamental review of the consumer protection regime. Earlier in March, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong announced a consumer protection review panel to review key consumer concerns in Singapore, such as prepayment losses and online commerce. The panel would also assess the need to strengthen enforcement powers and ability to deal with emerging trends. 'As industry practices change, and as consumer habits, patterns and preferences shift, it is timely for us to undertake a more fundamental review of our consumer protection regime,' he said at an appreciation dinner by the Consumers Association of Singapore. Mr Gan said that the panel will consult with key industry stakeholders, study international trends and best practices, and develop recommendations to drive consumer empowerment, raise industry standards and strengthen regulatory levers where appropriate to the Singapore context. Mr Alvin Koh, chief executive of CCCS, said that the consolidation of various consumer protection functions marks a significant milestone in strengthening Singapore's consumer protection framework. 'By bringing these complementary regulatory roles together, we can explore ways to reap greater operational synergies and develop a more robust consumer protection regulatory framework to serve businesses and consumers alike,' said Mr Koh. CCCS also committed to collaborating with industry stakeholders 'to ensure a smooth transition and to uphold Singapore's reputation for marketplace excellence and integrity'. CCCS said it is working closely with EnterpriseSG to transfer the functions with minimal disruption to existing service, adding that all existing regulatory requirements, registrations and certificates issued by the CPSO and WMO will remain valid and enforceable under its authority. Anjali Raguraman is a correspondent at The Straits Times. She covers politics, as well as consumer stories spanning tourism, retail and F&B. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Competition (Amendment) Act 2025 (Commencement) Notification 2025 (S 426 of 2025) Print
New Paper
16-06-2025
- Business
- New Paper
Competition watchdog raises concerns over problematic features on Agoda website and app
Several design changes were made to travel platform Agoda's website and mobile application after the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) raised concerns on some problematic features. The issues are related to its accommodation search and booking features, which CCCS was concerned that they would mislead customers. 'Best Match' search results CCCS found Agoda's "Best Match" search results presented in a way which suggest that the rankings were most compatible based solely on the search criteria, such as travel dates and guest ratings. But Agoda's search results also factor in the money the platform would earn. Agoda has since replaced the "Best Match" label with "Our Picks" to better reflect that the results are the platform's recommendations. 'Agoda Preferred' badge This badge appeared on selected properties accompanied by an explainer which said: "Agoda Preferred recommends trusted and verified properties that have a long-standing relationship with Agoda and meet certain criteria." CCCS said it was concerned that this blurb did not adequately explain the criteria for properties to receive the badge, which include paying Agoda more. Agoda has since revised the explainer to disclose more clearly that these properties pay additional commission to the platform, the watchdog added. Default 'ranking' of search results The way accommodation search results are ranked could potentially mislead consumers into believing that the listings were ordered based solely on their search parameters. But accommodation providers could actually boost their visibility by paying Agoda as part of a "preferred partner programme" or by sponsoring their own listings. In response to CCCS' concerns, Agoda has revised the explainer to clarify that the specific placements of these accommodations are influenced by other factors, including paying fees to Agoda. 'Cheapest x-star stay' label Accommodations presented with this label were not always the lowest-priced options when the search results are sorted by price for the same star-rating, CCCS said. It added that it was concerned that this label may have suggested to consumers that the labelled accommodation is the cheapest option available when it may not actually be. To avoid confusing customers, Agoda has removed the label altogether. Time limit to complete booking Agoda website customers were shown a five-minute countdown timer as they were inputting details needed to complete their bookings. This time could actually be extended by up to 20 minutes by clicking the "I need more time" button. CCCS said it was worried that this would create a false sense of urgency for consumers to quickly complete the booking. Agoda has since standardised the website's countdown timer to align with that of its mobile application, which is 20 minutes. This provides more time for consumers to complete the booking process, or shop around for better options. Using interface features that may mislead or even deceive consumers can be considered unfair trade practices under Singapore's fair trading laws, CCCS said, adding that this could lead to enforcement action by the commission. Instead, businesses should design their user interface to present options in a clear and neutral manner to consumers to make well-informed choices. "Important and material information, particularly those relating to pricing, should be presented upfront and not be hidden in fine print," CCCS warned. Statements regarding the practices and policies of a business should also be clear and easily understood. CCCS chief executive Alvin Koh said the exchange with Agoda was part of a series of actions the watchdog will take to improve the online commerce space. Particularly, where consumers may face undue pressure to complete their transactions, problematic website features or even "dark patterns" such as misleading messages, and manipulative user interfaces. "In the coming months, CCCS will make it a point to educate consumers on identifying these misleading practices and how consumers can better protect themselves," he said. Anyone who would like to report cases of unfair trade practices by errant businesses may contact the Consumers Association of Singapore at 6277 5100 on weekdays, from 9am to 5pm, or via the Case website.
Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
S'pore competition watchdog raises concerns over problematic features on Agoda website, app
The issues are related to Agoda's accommodation search and booking features, which CCCS was concerned would mislead customers. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN SINGAPORE - Several design changes were made to travel platform Agoda's website and mobile application after the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) raised concerns over some problematic features. The issues are related to Agoda's accommodation search and booking features, which CCCS was concerned would mislead customers. 'Best Match' search results CCCS found that Agoda's 'Best Match' search results were presented in a way which suggested that the rankings were most compatible based solely on the search criteria, such as travel dates and guest ratings. CCCS found that Agoda's 'Best Match' search results were presented in a way which suggested that the rankings were most compatible based solely on the search criteria. PHOTO: CCCS But Agoda's search results also factor in the money the platform would earn. Agoda has since replaced the 'Best Match' label with 'Our Picks' to better reflect that the results are the platform's recommendations. Agoda has since replaced the 'Best Match' label with 'Our Picks'. PHOTO: CCCS 'Agoda Preferred' badge This badge appeared on selected properties accompanied by an explainer which said: 'Agoda Preferred recommends trusted and verified properties that have a longstanding relationship with Agoda and meet certain criteria.' The 'Agoda Preferred' badge appears on selected properties. PHOTO: CCCS CCCS said it was concerned that this blurb did not adequately explain the criteria for properties to receive the badge, which include paying Agoda more. Agoda has since revised the explainer to disclose more clearly that these properties pay additional commission to the platform, the watchdog added. Agoda has since revised the explainer. PHOTO: CCCS Default 'ranking' of search results The way accommodation search results are ranked could potentially mislead consumers into believing that the listings were ordered based solely on their search parameters. Agoda has revised the explainer to clarify that the specific placements of these accommodations are influenced by other factors, including paying fees to Agoda. PHOTO: CCCS But accommodation providers could actually boost their visibility by paying Agoda as part of a 'preferred partner programme' or by sponsoring their own listings. In response to CCCS' concerns, Agoda has revised the explainer to clarify that the specific placements of these accommodations are influenced by other factors, including paying fees to Agoda. 'Cheapest x-star stay' label Accommodations presented with this label were not always the lowest-priced options when the search results are sorted by price for the same star rating, CCCS said. To avoid confusing customers, Agoda has removed the label altogether. PHOTO: CCCS It added that it was concerned that this label may have suggested to consumers that the labelled accommodation is the cheapest option available when it may not actually be. To avoid confusing customers, Agoda has removed the label altogether. Time limit to complete booking Agoda website customers were shown a five-minute countdown timer as they input the details needed to complete their bookings. This time limit could be extended by up to 20 minutes by clicking the 'I need more time' button. CCCS said it was worried that this would create a false sense of urgency for consumers to quickly complete the booking. Agoda has since standardised the website's countdown timer to align with that of its mobile application, which is 20 minutes. This provides more time for consumers to complete the booking process, or shop around for better options. Agoda has since standardised the website's countdown timer to align with that of its mobile application, which is 20 minutes. PHOTO: CCCS Using interface features that may mislead or even deceive consumers can be considered unfair trade practices under Singapore's fair trading laws, CCCS said, adding that this could lead to enforcement action by the commission. Instead, businesses should design their user interface to present options in a clear and neutral manner to consumers to make well-informed choices. 'Important and material information, particularly those relating to pricing, should be presented upfront and not be hidden in fine print,' CCCS warned. Statements regarding the practices and policies of a business should also be clear and easily understood. CCCS chief executive Alvin Koh said the exchange with Agoda was part of a series of actions the watchdog will take to improve the online commerce space. This is particularly so where consumers may face undue pressure to complete their transactions, and there are problematic website features, or even 'dark patterns' such as misleading messages, and manipulative user interfaces. 'In the coming months, CCCS will make it a point to educate consumers on identifying these misleading practices and how consumers can better protect themselves,' Mr Koh said. Those who would like to report cases of unfair trade practices by errant businesses may contact the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) on 6277-5100 on weekdays from 9am to 5pm, or via the Case website. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
