\n<\/p>\n
The OCHA Office will also introduce a new code for Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, which are assessed to pose the highest scam risk among social media services in Singapore.<\/p>\n
In 2025, these platforms accounted for about 30 per cent of total scam cases, with Facebook alone accounting for about 18 per cent.<\/p>\n
SPF said a key concern was the use of advertisements to target potential victims, adding that social media platforms profit from publishing advertisements and must ensure that their content is not used to further a crime.<\/p>\n
Under the social media code of practice, platforms will have to prevent advertisements from being published to Singapore users if there is a reason to suspect they are being used to further a scam.<\/p>\n
This includes checking for practices such as URL cloaking, which can be used to hide a destination website’s address, as well as other suspicious content.<\/p>\n
They will also have to promptly remove suspected scam advertisements that are accessible to Singapore users, including those reported by users.<\/p>\n
In addition, the platforms need to verify the identities of advertisers by conducting checks against government-issued records before allowing them to publish advertisements targeting Singapore users on their platforms.<\/p>\n
They will also have to prevent advertisements offering financial services or products to Singapore users unless the advertiser is licensed to offer them in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore or another applicable authority.<\/p>\n
The three social media platforms must implement such measures to comply with the code by Jan 31, 2027.<\/p>\n
As the new messaging and social media codes incorporate relevant requirements from the existing Online Communication Services Code, the OCHA Office will rescind the existing code when the new ones take effect, SPF said.<\/p>\n
An enhanced code of practice will also apply to three e-commerce services, building on existing requirements for seller verification and payment protection introduced in June 2024.<\/p>\n
The services – Carousell, Facebook Marketplace and Facebook Business Pages – will be required to introduce stronger consent measures before allowing logins from new or unrecognised devices.<\/p>\n
The enhanced code will also adopt safeguards from the Social Media Code to protect users against the exploitation of online advertisements by scammers, SPF said.<\/p>\n
The three services must implement the required measures by Jan 31, 2027.<\/p>\n
If a designated online service fails to comply with an applicable requirement, the OCHA Office may issue a rectification notice requiring it to remedy the non-compliance with a specified period, SPF said.<\/p>\n
Under the current OCHA penalty framework, failing to comply with a rectification notice without reasonable excuse is an offence punishable by a fine of up to S$1 million (US$782,400).<\/p>\n
For a continuing offence, the platform may face a further fine of up to S$100,000 for every day or part of a day that the offence continues after conviction.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed legislative amendments in Parliament in August to strengthen the OCHA penalty framework.<\/p>\n
Under the proposed framework, the OCHA Office may impose a financial penalty of up to S$10 million for each instance of non-compliance with a code of practice or implementation directive.<\/p>\n
Alternatively, it may direct the platform to remedy the non-compliance through a rectification notice or compliance order.<\/p>\n
Failure to comply with a rectification notice or compliance order without a valid reason will be punishable with a fine of up to S$10 million.<\/p>\n
For a continuing offence, a further fine of up to S$300,000 could be imposed for every day or part of a day that the offence continues after conviction.<\/p>\n
More details will be shared at the second reading of the Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill in September, said SPF.<\/p>\n
“The Police urge members of the public to remain vigilant against online criminal harms,” said SPF, adding that while the platforms are expected to do more to improve the safety of their services under the codes of practice, users should continue to take precautions when interacting and transacting online.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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