Singapore: The Singaporean government has issued a stern warning to Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, threatening substantial fines if the social media giant fails to curb a surge in impersonation scams targeting users in the city-state. Authorities have demanded that Meta implement robust measures, including advanced facial recognition tools, to identify and remove fake accounts mimicking individuals and organizations.
According to Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry, the new directive under the Online Criminal Harms Act, which came into effect in February 2024, requires Meta to take immediate action. If Meta fails to comply without a “reasonable excuse” by the end of September, it faces an initial fine of up to S$1 million (approximately US$776,600). Non-compliance after the deadline could trigger further penalties of S$100,000 per day, signaling the government’s determination to enforce accountability.
The crackdown comes amid a growing wave of impersonation scams on Facebook in Singapore. Scammers have reportedly created fake profiles, business pages, and advertisements that mimic government officials or public figures, often leveraging images and videos to lend credibility to their deception. Authorities warn that such scams not only threaten individuals’ security but also risk undermining public trust in social media platforms.
Earlier this month, the Singapore Police Force had instructed Meta to adopt measures to prevent impersonation scams. However, that order lacked a clear deadline and enforcement provisions. The current directive represents a more stringent move, making compliance a legal obligation under the Online Criminal Harms Act. The government has emphasized that although Meta has globally implemented anti-impersonation strategies, these measures have fallen short in addressing the volume and sophistication of scams targeting Singaporean users.
The directive also raises complex challenges for Meta. Implementing facial recognition technology may help detect fake accounts but brings privacy and data protection concerns to the forefront. Experts caution that balancing compliance with user rights and global privacy regulations will require careful planning and technical precision.
Meta has not publicly commented on the new ultimatum. Analysts suggest that Singapore’s firm stance could set a precedent for other countries, pushing global social media platforms to take stronger action against online impersonation and scam activities. The outcome of this confrontation could influence future regulatory frameworks worldwide, particularly in jurisdictions seeking to protect citizens from digital fraud.
As impersonation scams continue to rise, Singapore’s enforcement measures mark a significant step toward holding tech giants accountable for content moderation and the safety of users on their platforms.