About the IAPP

Steve is a Partner and Deputy Head in Rajah & Tann Singapore’s TMT practice group. Steve practices Data Protection, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Intellectual Property, and Digital Media / Entertainment law. He has been recognized as a leading lawyer for media and telecommunications in the PLC Cross-border Media and Communications Handbook; and for TMT work in the Asia Pacific Legal 500 2010 to 2022; the AsiaLaw Profiles; the Practical Law Company Which Lawyer; and Chambers Asia Pacific 2013 to 2022. Steve is also cited as a leading lawyer for Technology law, Media law and/or Information Technology law in Best Lawyers 2013 to 2022, in The International Who’s Who of Telecoms and Media Lawyers and in Who’s Who Legal : Data 2019 to 2022 for Telecoms & Media, Data Security, and Data Privacy & Protection. Steve is recognized as a Distinguished Practitioner for Technology and Communications in Asialaw Leading Lawyers 2020, 2021. Steve won Corporate Insider Business Excellence Award 2019 ‘Communication Lawyer of the Year – Singapore’. Steve is cited as “one of the best in the field of personal data protection” in Legal 500 2017. In Chambers Asia Pacific 2019, Steve receives praise from a client who characterises him as a "truly dedicated and passionate TMT lawyer. His knowledge in data protection laws and understanding of policymaking are key. His wealth of experience in this area of law gives me the confidence that I have been advised by one of the best in class.”. In Legal 500 2019, Steve is cited as being “one of the gurus in the field of data protection”. Steve achieved top 10 in the Financial Times (FT) Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers Award 2019. In Legal 500 2020, a client gave testimony that “Steve Tan has great depth of knowledge for PDPA matters. Strategic, sound in advice and very responsive.”. Steve was additionally picked as a top 30 individual practitioner worldwide for Privacy and Data Protection in Best of the Best Global Expert Guide 2019. In 2022, Steve was awarded ALB Asia’s Top 15 TMT Lawyers 2022.

Steve co-founded and is a Director of (i) Rajah & Tann Technologies Pte Ltd, a company that provides technical solutions to help organisations navigate the digital economy such as contract management, e-discovery, e-learning; and (ii) Rajah & Tann Cybersecurity Pte Ltd, a company specialising in cybersecurity and data breach incident response.

Steve is Adjunct Professor of the Faculty of Law of the National University of Singapore, teaching Privacy & Data Protection law. 

Steve is the author of a chapter in the 2nd edition of the authoritative book ‘Data Protection Law in Singapore – Privacy and Sovereignty in an Interconnected World’ published in 2018 by the Singapore Academy of Law on the topic ‘Data Protection and New Technologies’. Steve is also a regular co-author of a chapter in the Personal Data Protection Commission’s yearly publication from 2017 to 2021.