Search for:
Asia-Pacific

Singapore: IMDA to develop new Singapore SMS Sender ID Registry

By , , , , and 3 Mins Read

In brief

This is an update to our previous post regarding the measures Singapore authorities have introduced to combat SMS-phishing scams. These measures include the anti-SMS spoofing registry.

Key developments with regard to the registry are set out below.

Key takeaways

  • The anti-SMS spoofing registry will be shut down from 7 March 2022.
  • The Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) will reportedly develop its own system according to its own specifications.
  • The reason for the change in the system is the IMDA’s alleged desire for a stronger response to recent SMS phishing scams in Singapore.

In depth

The anti-SMS spoofing registry is to be shut down from 7 March 2022. The IMDA will reportedly develop its own system according to its own specifications and is currently in the process of re-registering banks, government agencies and other organizations on the new registry, which is to be dubbed the Singapore SMS Sender ID Registry (SSIR). The reason for the change in the system is allegedly the IMDA’s desire for a stronger response to recent incidents of SMS phishing in Singapore, as well as more proactive blocking. The IMDA has said that its new system can identify spoofed messages using protected SMS sender IDs and block these messages upfront. According to the IMDA, this more proactive stance to better protect consumers will be a regulatory requirement going forward.

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

According to the IMDA, the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Association of Banks in Singapore are supportive of the new registry, which they believe will provide Singapore with greater control and flexibility in developing regulatory measures that afford better consumer protection.

LOGO_Wong&Leow_Singapore

© 2022 Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow. All rights reserved. Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow is incorporated with limited liability and is a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International, a global law firm with member law firms around the world. In accordance with the common terminology used in professional service organizations, reference to a “principal” means a person who is a partner, or equivalent, in such a law firm. Similarly, reference to an “office” means an office of any such law firm. This may qualify as “Attorney Advertising” requiring notice in some jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Categories:
Author

Ken Chia is a member of the Firm’s IP Tech, International Commercial & Trade and Competition Practice Groups. He is regularly ranked as a leading TMT and competition lawyer by top legal directories, including Chambers Asia Pacific and Legal 500 Asia Pacific. Ken is an IAPP Certified International Privacy Professional (FIP, CIPP(A), CIPT, CIPM) and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators.

Author

Andy Leck is the managing principal of Baker McKenzie.Wong & Leow. Mr. Leck is recognised by the world’s leading industry and legal publications as a leader in his field. Asian Legal Business notes that he “always gives good, quick advice, [is] client-focused and has strong technical knowledge for his areas of practice”. Alongside his current role as managing principal, Mr. Leck has held several leadership positions in the Firm and externally as a leading IP practitioner. He currently serves on the International Trademark Association's Board of Directors and is a member of the Singapore Copyright Tribunal.

Author

Ren Jun is an associate principal of Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow. Ren Jun extensively represents local and international intellectual property-intensive clients in both contentious and non-contentious IP matters, such as anti-counterfeiting; civil and criminal litigation; commercial issues; regulatory clearance; and advertising laws. Ren Jun also advises on a wide range of issues relating to the healthcare industries. These include regulatory compliance in respect of drugs, medical devices, clinical trials, health supplements and cosmetics; product liability and recall; and anti-corruption. Ren Jun is currently a member of the Firm's Asia Pacific Healthcare ASEAN Economic Community; Product Liability and Regulatory Sub-Committees.

Author

Stephanie Magnus co-heads the Asia Pacific Financial Institutions Group and heads up the Financial Services Regulatory Practice Group in Singapore. Stephanie is ranked Band 1 for FinTech in Singapore by Chambers FinTech 2020. She is also ranked as a Leading Individual for Financial Services Regulatory: Local Firms in Singapore by Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020. She is recognised as a leading lawyer for Banking & Finance: Regulatory in Singapore by Chambers Asia Pacific and Chambers Global 2020. Stephanie was quoted in Chambers Asia Pacific for her "timely, practical and business-oriented" advice, with a "deep understanding of the regulatory regime." She is also recognised as "very business-savvy and brilliant every time," and is admired for her "very strong grasp of the legal issues from both a technical and practical perspective."

Author

Daryl Seetoh is an associate in Baker McKenzie's Singapore office.

Author

Alex is a local principal in the Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group in Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow with over 13 years of experience. Alex is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/EU) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), a certified AI Ethics and Governance Professional by the Singapore Computer Society and a member of the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Committee of the Law Society of Singapore. He holds a master's in law, science and technology from Stanford University.

Related Posts

Write A Comment