Several telcos to block sending SMS with URL links from Tuesday (May 2)

KUALA LUMPUR: Several telecommunication companies will be blocking the ability to send or receive URLs through the short message service (SMS) from Tuesday (May 2).

An officer from the Communications and Digital Ministry confirmed with Sin Chew Daily that Maxis, Celcom, Digi and U-Mobile would start imposing the block on Tuesday.

This block will include SMS that ask for personal particulars such as a person's name as well as their identity card number, bank account or other contact details.

Also read: KKD urges telcos to block URL linked to scams

MCMC sources told Sin Chew that this is aimed at countering online fraud via telecommunication networks and would be implemented in stages.

“MCMC issued the directive to all service providers on Feb 14 and is currently assessing the progress. For now, the block is still not mandatory," the source added

Also read: MCMC directs telcos to block website links in SMS to stop scammers

Meanwhile, Maxis has issued an announcement on its website.

”The MCMC has issued a directive to all telcos to block sending and receiving of SMS with URL link. The objective is to prevent users from becoming victims of online scams," it said.

Maxis added that the block applies to SMS that are sent or received from local and international mobile numbers.

"The blocking of person-to-person SMS with URL links will take effect from 2 May 2023," it said.

The company said users could still send or receive SMS with URL via social apps or instant messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and WeChat.

It said that the blocking of URLs in SMS is being done in phases (and will) start with SMS between individuals.

"For SMS sent by business via short codes such as 6XXXX, 2XXXX and 1XXXX, this will be done later and specific notification to business users will be sent," it added.

In February, Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said blocking such SMS is to ensure that no one presses the wrong URL and possibly end up as a scam victim.

The move was taken in view that several online scams had tricked the people to click on a bad link.