Singapore tightens online scam safeguards for major platforms

Singapore, Aug 19 (AHN) Singapore has introduced new and enhanced codes of practice requiring major online platforms to strengthen safeguards against scams and malicious cyber activities, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said.

The new rules, issued on Monday, cover online messaging and conferencing services, social media and e-commerce platforms, building on measures introduced in 2024, the SPF said in a statement.

According to the SPF, scam cases reported on designated online services fell about 37 per cent between 2024 and 2025.

The new Messaging Code requires platforms to introduce measures, including user consent before unknown contacts add them to groups, warnings on suspicious accounts, and options to filter or block messages and calls from unknown contacts.

The Social Media Code asks platforms to prevent and remove suspected scam advertisements and verify advertisers' identities. Financial advertisements targeting Singapore users must also be from licensed providers, Xinhua news agency reported.

The enhanced E-Commerce Code will strengthen login and advertising safeguards.

Platforms must comply with the new requirements by January 31, 2027. Proposed legislation could raise penalties for non-compliance to 10 million Singapore dollars (7.83 million US dollars).

Meanwhile, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and technology firm IBM plan to establish a Quantum-Safe Centre by the end of 2026 to help accelerate Singapore's transition to quantum-safe cybersecurity.

Located at SIT's Punggol campus in northeastern Singapore, the centre will help organisations assess vulnerabilities, adopt quantum-safe cryptography and develop talent for the post-quantum era, the duo said in a statement on Tuesday.

"As quantum computing advances, the encryption methods that organisations rely on today to safeguard their data could become increasingly vulnerable to new and more sophisticated cyber threats from bad actors," it said.

The centre will raise awareness of cybersecurity risks posed by advances in quantum computing and assess organizations' readiness by identifying vulnerabilities and mapping migration pathways.

It will also provide a live testbed for quantum-safe technologies, allowing businesses and researchers to test solutions through applied use cases.

The centre will also offer executive education, professional training and applied research, while bringing together industry, academia and government stakeholders to strengthen Singapore's post-quantum resilience.