The MCMC was previously ready to instruct telecommunications companies to prevent the transmission of URLs on SMS - at the same time reducing the problem of scam and fraudulent SMS sent, and at the same time reducing cases of online fraud. The matter has been implemented since May 2023 by several telecommunications companies.
Now, in addition to sending SMS with a URL, SKMM is ready to order to prevent the sending of SMS containing a mobile phone number or landline to be contacted. This matter is expected to be enforced by the telecommunications company starting July 2, 2023.
This step is expected to further reduce the rate of fraud that occurs through SMS, in addition to further protecting users. Any SMS containing a URL or phone number will be blocked from being sent after July 2, 2023.
Users need to use several alternatives if they want to continue sending URLs or phone numbers to family members or friends - including using messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Messenger and so on.
In addition to private users, after that date, various SMS sent by applications and businesses cannot also include links in their SMS transmissions (unless subscribed to enterprise and business focused services). With this move, some applications have started to change their method of operation and have stopped sending URLs via SMS. For example, Luno which sent a URL via SMS for login verification has now switched to application notification based verification.