Singapore

Can I access personal data that a company holds about me?

30 days
Response deadline
S$5
Max fee allowed
Written request
Required format
s. 21
PDPA section
The Short Answer

Yes, you have the right to request access to your personal data held by a company in Singapore under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012.

What the Law Says

The Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA) gives individuals in Singapore the legal right to access their personal data held by organisations.

Under section 21 of the PDPA, you may make a written request to any organisation to provide you with access to your personal data that it holds. The organisation must respond within 30 days of receiving your request.

The organisation may charge a reasonable fee — capped at S$5 — to cover administrative costs. It must inform you of the fee before processing your request, and cannot proceed without your consent to pay.

The organisation must also tell you whether it holds your personal data, and if so, provide you with a copy or summary of that data, unless an exception applies (e.g., data subject to legal privilege or where disclosure would harm another person’s safety or security).

Statutory Text

An individual may make a written request to an organisation for access to his personal data which the organisation holds.

— Personal Data Protection Act 2012, s. 21 — Access to personal data

What to Do

1

Make a clear, written request to the organisation specifying the personal data you wish to access.

2

Keep a copy of your request and note the date you sent it.

3

Wait for the organisation’s response — they must reply within 30 days.

4

If a fee is charged, confirm in writing that you agree to pay before the organisation proceeds.

5

If your request is denied, ask for the reason and check whether an exemption under the PDPA applies.

Sources

statutePersonal Data Protection Act 2012, s. 21 — Access to personal data

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Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.