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3mo ago

Singapore Orders Apple and Google to Block Spoofed Government IDs on iMessage and Google Messages

The directive under the Online Criminal Harms Act responds to a surge in impersonation scams exploiting a gap outside the national SMS sender ID registry.

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A hacker in a hoodie typing on a laptop next to an iPhone screen.

Overview

  • By Nov. 30, Apple and Google must stop accounts and group chats from using names that mimic “gov.sg” or Singapore government agencies, or filter such messages from view.
  • The order requires unknown senders’ profile names to be hidden or shown less prominently than phone numbers to reduce the risk of deception.
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs says both companies have indicated they will comply, with noncompliance punishable by fines of up to S$1 million and possible daily penalties.
  • Police reported 1,762 government-official impersonation cases in the first half of 2025 with about S$126.5 million lost, including more than 120 reports tied to SingPost impersonation.
  • Authorities say the protections in the SMS Sender ID Registry do not cover iMessage or Google Messages, and they urge users to update the apps to enable the new safeguards.