New SMS Rule: Annual Registration for Link-Senders to Combat Scams

[webfact]

An example of a phishing attack through SMS, showing a fake message and URL claiming to be from Apple. Picture: Wikipedia

 

In a decisive move to curb the rise of SMS-based scams, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has mandated that all senders who include links in their messages must register annually. This regulation seeks to thwart fraudulent tactics used by scammers to steal personal data and money.

 

Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong announced this new requirement, designed to address the growing problem of phishing links embedded within SMS messages. The initiative stems from the collaboration between the ministry, the police, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, and major telecom service providers.

 

Dubbed the "Cleansing Sender Name" system, this measure mandates yearly registration, allowing authorities to effectively identify not only senders of these SMS messages but also the providers facilitating these communications.

 

This registration process requires senders to include message details and links, which mobile operators can then review and verify before they are dispatched to recipients.

 

Should any sender fail to comply, the consequence would be the blocking of their sender name, coupled with potential legal repercussions, Minister Prasert warned.

 

The Ministry’s spokesman indicated that this measure is anticipated to come into effect early next year. However, before its implementation, detailed discussions are needed amongst involved parties to iron out the operational specifics of how this system will work in practice, reported Bangkok Post.

 

This proactive approach aims to safeguard citizens against growing cyber threats, ensuring that the simple act of receiving an SMS is not laced with potential fraud. It's not just a deterrent but also a protective barrier for the public in an increasingly digital world.

 

-- 2024-10-24

 

 

[BrandonJT]

So what happens if a Thai person wants to register for a legitimate foreign service that includes texted links, like ordering a product from a foreign company and the tracking is sent to them? These foreign companies are not going to go through the process of registering in another country just to be able to send links in their texts.

On top of that, a both iMessage and RCS are encrypted, which means the telephone company would have no idea what is in the messages to begin with. 

The only thing this could stop is regular sms (not rcs or imessage) from one Thai number to another Thai number.  I'd wager that's only a small fraction of the problem.

[hotchilli]

A part solution but not the end game.

[Patong2021]

Not technically feasibile unless all links are blocked. 

My friends and I I regularly send each other links; Links to address/map locations, reservations at restaurants or hotels, meeting/appointment dates, Team Meeting links, Instagram photos etc.  The government can't expect that it will block this. Some of us are lost without a proper map reference.