Singapore orders Google, Apple to curb govt impersonation on messaging services

Tech giants Apple and Google have been directed to prohibit accounts on their messaging services from using names that spoof Singapore government agencies, in a move to protect the public from impersonation scams.

- Sarah Koh

By Nov 30, Apple and Google must prevent accounts and group chats on iMessage and Google Messages from using names that spoof the “gov.sg” sender ID or other local government agencies, or they must filter out messages from such senders, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Nov 25.

In addition, the profile names of unknown senders must either not be displayed, or be shown less prominently than their phone numbers, which would help users better identify and exercise caution with unknown persons.

The local authorities have been using the “gov.sg” sender ID since July 2024 to help the public more easily identify legitimate government messages.