Combatting scams: Messaging platforms must restrict unsolicited contact, prevent spoofing of govt officials
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To curb the proliferation of online investment scams, messaging platforms must introduce measures that make it harder for an unknown person to contact another user.The seven designated messaging and conferencing services — WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, AppleCombatting scams: Messaging platforms must restrict unsolicited contact, prevent spoofing of govt officials
To curb the proliferation of online investment scams, messaging platforms must introduce measures that make it harder for an unknown person to contact another user.The seven designated messaging and conferencing services — WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, Apple iMessage and FaceTime, as well as Google Message and Google Meet — must also prevent the impersonation of Government officials by fake accounts taking advantage of profile names or pictures.The police, which issued new codes of practice under the Online Criminal Harms Act on Monday (Aug 17), said in a news release that 52 per cent of scam cases reported in 2025 occurred on designated online services.WhatsApp and Telegram accounted for about 23 per cent of all scam cases, and about 18 per cent of Government officials impersonation scams (GOIS) took place through WhatsApp that year.Urgent action is needed to address GOIS cases, police said, and the seven messaging platforms must comply with requirements to prevent the spoofing of officials by Sept 30. Read more














