IMDA concludes anti-SMS spoofing registry pilot, starts onboarding process

THE Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has moved to set up a full-fledged Singapore SMS SenderID Registry (SSIR) that can identify spoofed messages using protected SMS sender IDs and block these messages upfront.

This more-proactive stance to better protect consumers is a regulatory requirement going forward, said the authority in a statement on Mar 7.

SSIR has already begun the process of onboarding organisations - in particular banks, government agencies and other interested organisations. They will have their registered sender IDs protected once fully onboarded, according to IMDA.

Together with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), IMDA introduced the SSIR as a pilot in August 2021 in collaboration with the UK Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF) as a commercial service provider.

MEF had previously informed that IMDA's requirements to meet Singapore's needs going forward are not consistent with its business model.

"As IMDA will be moving towards a more fully-fledged SSIR, the MEF and IMDA have therefore jointly decided to conclude our pilot which has provided us with useful inputs to move on with our new model," said an IMDA spokesperson.

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"Given the recent incidents of SMS phishing scams in Singapore, it is clear that a strong response is needed… MAS and the Association of Banks in Singapore are fully supportive of SSIR which will provide Singapore with greater control and flexibility in developing regulatory measures that better protect consumers in Singapore."

The Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC), a subsidiary of IMDA, was appointed to operate the SSIR. SGNIC is the national registry responsible for the regulation, administration and management of Singapore's Internet Domain Name System infrastructure.

READ MORE: 

• Petition started for IMDA to enforce SMS sender ID pre-registration in wake of OCBC phishing scam
• Companies on IMDA's SMS registry can still be spoofed
• SMS ID registry loopholes plugged; service providers take steps to prevent spoofing
• 13 people arrested for suspected involvement in OCBC scams