Singapore Sets Deadline for Meta to Combat Facebook Scams

The Singapore government has mandated that Meta Platforms implement measures to address the rising issue of impersonation scams on Facebook. The company must comply with this directive by the end of September 2023 or face potential fines that could reach up to S$1 million (approximately $776,639). According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, failure to meet this deadline may result in additional penalties of S$100,000 for each day of non-compliance.

The order was issued to Meta on September 6, 2023, as part of an effort to combat an increase in scams exploiting Facebook’s platform. The ministry noted that between June 2024 and June 2023, there has been a notable rise in the number of scams utilizing fake advertisements, accounts, profiles, and business pages that impersonate key government officials.

Government Response to Rising Scams

Earlier in September, Singapore’s police had already instructed Meta to implement anti-scam measures aimed at combating fraudulent activities. This earlier directive did not specify a deadline for compliance, but the recent announcement emphasizes the urgency of the situation.

The Ministry of Home Affairs remarked, “While Meta has taken steps to address the risk of impersonation scams globally, the home affairs ministry and the Singapore police force remain concerned by the prevalence of such scams in Singapore.” This statement underscores the government’s growing alarm regarding the exploitation of social media for fraudulent purposes.

The measures required from Meta may include advanced technologies, such as facial recognition, to help identify and eliminate fake accounts that mislead users. The directive is the first to be issued under Singapore’s new Online Criminal Harms Act, which came into effect in February 2024. This legislation aims to enhance online safety and combat the use of digital platforms for illicit activities.

As Meta faces scrutiny over its handling of these issues, the company has yet to provide a public response to the ministry’s directive. The upcoming weeks will be critical as Singapore pushes for more robust protections for its citizens against online scams.

With the potential for significant financial penalties, Meta is under pressure to act swiftly to mitigate the risks associated with impersonation scams. As a global leader in social media, the company’s response will likely set a precedent for how similar issues are addressed in other jurisdictions.