Singapore’s IMDA PETs Sandbox
Fostering trust in data innovation
Dive into Singapore’s IMDA Privacy Enhancing Technology (PET) Sandbox, a groundbreaking initiative enabling organizations to safely test cutting-edge privacy tools like secure multiparty computation, Large Language Models, and homomorphic encryption in real-world settings. This hybrid regulatory and technical sandbox is driving innovation in data privacy and protection, paving the way for secure, privacy-first data collaboration.
Geographic scope: National (Singapore)
Topic/sector: Data Privacy/Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs)
Sandbox type: Hybrid (Regulatory and Operational)
Year started: 2022
Sandbox status: In operation
№ of applications so far: 20
№ Accepted: 12
Duration of the sandbox: 6 – 9 months
Who is behind this sandbox: Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
Website: IMDA Sandbox
Overview of the IMDA Sandbox
Launched by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) alongside the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), the PET Sandbox focuses exclusively on Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs), enabling data collaboration and processing while ensuring privacy protection.
Why IMDA created the Sandbox
Singapore’s drive to become a digital innovation hub faced the challenge of balancing growing cross-border data sharing with strong privacy protections. Traditional safeguards were falling short in meeting both innovation and trust demands. To address this, IMDA created the sandbox to test and evaluate Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) as practical solutions for enabling secure, trusted data flows across sectors like finance, healthcare, and mobility. The sandbox also identifies regulatory gaps, assesses real-world feasibility, and builds an evidence base to inform future data governance policies regionally and globally.
How the sandbox works
The IMDA PET Sandbox encourages co-design among regulators, technical experts, and participants. Entities proposing innovative use cases involving sensitive data were selected through a public call. Selected projects undergo a six-month testing period, receiving technical and regulatory support without formal regulatory exemptions. Operational costs are covered by IMDA, with no participation fee charged.
Challenges addressed
The IMDA PET Sandbox was designed to tackle key challenges hindering secure and innovative data sharing:
- Data Privacy Concerns: Mitigating privacy risks associated with cross-border data transfers and sensitive data collaboration
- Regulatory Uncertainty: Clarifying compliance requirements for emerging PET applications
- Innovation Barriers: Enabling secure data collaboration without compromising data protection
Results & insights
The IMDA Sandbox has enabled the development of Meta and Mozilla’s “Interoperable Private Attribution” (IPA) solution, which uses advanced methods like multiparty computing and differential privacy to measure digital ad effectiveness without relying on traditional tracking technologies, addressing growing privacy concerns in the advertising ecosystem.
Download the full case study
Interested in learning more about IMDA’s Sandbox sandbox and its impact? Download the complete case study for more including success stories, impact, evaluation, and practical insights for sandboxers.
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