Is Sugarbook Legal in Singapore?

If you’ve been following the recent headlines in Singapore, you may have noticed the dating platform Sugarbook suddenly back in the spotlight. The app, which connects so-called “sugar babies” with “sugar daddies”, has always been controversial across Asia. But with its link to a recent false rape report case in Singapore, many people are now asking the same question: Is Sugarbook actually legal here?

The Short Answer

As of the date of writing this post, Sugarbook is accessible in Singapore, and there is no evidence of an official ban on the platform. I’m actually in Singapore as I write this and I can access the site. Unlike in Malaysia (where internet providers were ordered to block the site back in 2021) users in Singapore can still download the app or visit the website without restrictions.

That doesn’t mean the app is free of scrutiny, though. Sugar dating in Singapore sits in a legal gray zone. As long as the relationship between two consenting adults doesn’t cross the line into commercial intimacy or explicit solicitation, it isn’t directly against the law. But if the arrangement looks too much like prostitution, authorities could step in.

Screenshot taken in Singapore confirming that the Sugarbook app and website remain accessible without restrictions.

Why Sugarbook Sparks Debate in Singapore

Sugarbook has always been controversial because of how it markets itself. On the surface, it sells the idea of mentorship, companionship, and mutually beneficial partnerships. But critics across Asia argue that it’s little more than a disguised way to connect wealthy men with younger women for intimate favors in exchange for money or gifts.

In Singapore, prostitution itself is not fully illegal, but it is heavily regulated and limited to specific zones under strict oversight. Anything that seems to promote or expand this kind of work outside those boundaries often draws government attention. That’s why Sugarbook attracts debate here because it challenges the fine line between “dating” and “transaction”.

What This Means for Travelers and Expats

If you’re coming to Singapore, it’s important to know that not all apps you use back home carry the same reputation here. While Sugarbook works in Singapore, using it comes with risks. Authorities in Singapore are known for being firm when it comes to moral and vice-related issues, and cases that cross into exploitation or prostitution are taken very seriously.

If you’re simply looking to meet people, it’s safer to stick with mainstream apps like Tinder, Bumble, Coffee Meets Bagel, or OkCupid. These platforms are widely used, socially accepted, and won’t draw the wrong kind of attention. For expats especially, staying on the right side of the law means you can enjoy Singapore’s vibrant dating and social scene without worry.

What This Means for Travelers and Expats

If you’re planning a trip to Singapore or settling in as an expat, it’s important to understand that the online dating landscape here is very different from what you might be used to elsewhere. Not every app that’s popular in the U.S., Europe, or even neighboring Asian countries will work once you’re on Singaporean soil. Sugarbook is a perfect example. The app may still exist in other places, but here, it’s outright blocked.

Instead of trying to access banned or restricted platforms, it’s safer (and far less stressful) to stick to the mainstream options. Apps like Tinder, Bumble, Coffee Meets Bagel, and OkCupid are all widely used in Singapore, and they give you plenty of opportunities to meet new people without running into legal issues. You’ll also notice that Singapore’s dating culture leans more toward these established apps, which are socially acceptable and easy to use.

Beyond Singapore

Across Asia, Sugarbook has faced repeated criticisms and crackdowns, which is indicative of just how controversial sugar-dating apps remain in this part of the world.

In Malaysia, where Sugarbook was first launched in 2017, the government moved quickly once it started making headlines for all the wrong reasons. By 2021, authorities blocked the app completely after reports surfaced of a sudden surge in sign-ups from university students. The idea that young people were turning to “sugar dating” for financial support sparked outrage, and officials wasted no time in shutting it down.

In Thailand and Indonesia, authorities have voiced similar concerns about sugar dating platforms. Both countries have conservative cultural values and strict laws around morality and vice.

Even in other conservative countries around the world, sugar-dating platforms live in a constant state of uncertainty. They often slip into legal gray zones, operating under the radar until regulators decide to act. At any moment, an app like Sugarbook can face a sudden ban, leaving users locked out and sparking fresh debates about morality, relationships, and exploitation.

The Claris Ling Min Rui Case

One of the biggest reasons Sugarbook has been trending in Singapore recently is because of the case involving 20-year-old Claris Ling Min Rui. Local reports say she used the platform to connect with an older man as part of a sugar arrangement, and later went on to file a false rape report against him. The case exploded in the news not just because of the serious nature of the allegation, but also because it tied Sugarbook directly into Singapore’s headlines. Claris’ case showed just how quickly things can spiral when relationships on these kinds of platforms turn messy. Furthermore, it added fuel to the ongoing debate about whether sugar dating apps should even be allowed here in the first place.