Singapore Requires Social Media Platforms to Verify Advertiser Identities Under New Code

Facebook, Instagram and TikTok must soon verify the identities of advertisers against government-issued records under a new Code of Practice for Social Media Services announced by the Singapore police on Aug 18. The platforms must also block advertisements from financial services firms not licensed in Singapore, with compliance required by Jan 31, 2027.

Why the new code was introduced

The police framed the move around scam risk, noting that Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounted for about 30% of total scam cases in 2025. In a statement, the police said these three platforms pose the highest scam risk to users in Singapore, with Facebook alone accounting for about 18% of total scam cases in the city in 2025.

Advertising is a central concern. The police said a key issue on social media platforms is the use of advertisements to target potential victims, and that because the platforms profit from the ads they publish, they must ensure the advertisements’ content does not result in a crime being carried out.

What the platforms must do

Under the new requirements, the three social media platforms must verify advertisers’ identities against government-issued records, and block advertisements from financial services firms not licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore or other relevant authorities in Singapore. They must also prevent advertisements suspected of being linked to scams from being published, for example by checking for masked URL links that hide the real destination or lead to suspicious content. Platforms have to quickly remove suspected scam advertisements that can be accessed in Singapore, including those reported by users.

Failure to comply is a criminal offence under the Online Criminal Harms Act, which may result in fines of up to S$1 million.

Broader codes and results

The new Social Media Code builds on existing codes for online communication services and e-commerce services issued under the Online Criminal Harms Act. After those two codes took effect on Jun 26, 2024, scam cases on online services dropped by around 37% in 2025 from 2024, according to the police, who said the reduction shows upstream safeguards help make it harder for scammers to target Singapore users.

The police also issued a new Code of Practice for Online Messaging and Conferencing Services, which applies to WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, Apple iMessage, Apple FaceTime, Google Message and Google Meet. By Jan 31, 2027, these services must put in place measures to make it harder for unknown contacts to engage users, such as requiring consent before a person can be added to a chat group by an unknown contact.

The police’s Online Criminal Harms Act Office said it identified these online services as posing the highest scam risk. A Ministry of Digital Development and Information survey cited in the report found that more than four in five Singapore residents, or 84% of them, reported encountering harmful content online, most commonly content linked to illegal activity such as scams.

FAQ

What does the new Singapore Social Media Code require?

Facebook, Instagram and TikTok must verify advertiser identities against government-issued records and block ads from financial services firms not licensed in Singapore, by Jan 31, 2027.

What happens if platforms do not comply?

Failure to comply is a criminal offence under the Online Criminal Harms Act, carrying potential fines of up to S$1 million.

Which messaging services are covered by the related code?

The new messaging and conferencing code applies to WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, Apple iMessage, Apple FaceTime, Google Message and Google Meet.

Source: The Business Times

Cover image generated by AI for illustrative purposes only.