Gov Instructs Malaysian Telcos To Block SMS Links To Prevent Scams
The directive is given to all telco companies to help prevent more people from becoming victims of online scams.
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The Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD), through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), has issued a directive to all telecommunications companies (telcos) to block any URL link in short message service (SMS) to prevent further fraud cases.
Its deputy minister Teo Nie Ching said the instruction was issued to prevent scammers from defrauding consumers.
MCMC has given this directive to telco companies to ensure that no one presses the wrong URL and possibly end up as victims (scam). Several online scams happen when people click on the wrong link, and after giving their personal information, they find themselves being scammed.
Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Teo Nie Ching said after appearing as a guest on Ai FM in conjunction with RTM’s 77th-anniversary celebration.
According to Bernama, the directive would come into effect in phases and it’s hoped that the companies involved would be able to implement the directives soon.
In January 2023, Teo reported that Malaysia recorded almost RM600 million in losses from cybercrime in 2022.
Online scams have been on the rise in the nation, and there have been several attempts to stop these crimes.
Under Budget 2023, RM10 million was allocated to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) to fight cybercrime.
Meanwhile, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has instructed banks to add a ‘kill switch’ to let account holders freeze their accounts when they detect suspicious activities in their accounts.
READ MORE: CIMB Allows You To Freeze Your Online Account With A Touch Of A Button
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