Singapore Mandates Stricter Anti-Scam Rules for Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

Singapore is tightening its grip on online fraud with new anti-scam regulations targeting major social media platforms. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok will soon be required to verify the identities of advertisers and prevent advertisements from unlicensed financial services firms from appearing on their services.

The new Code of Practice for Social Media Services, announced by Singapore police on August 18, mandates compliance by January 31, 2027. Failure to adhere to these rules could result in criminal penalties, including fines of up to S$1 million, and daily fines of up to S$100,000 for continued non-compliance. Police data indicates that these three platforms were involved in approximately 30 percent of all scam cases in Singapore in 2025, with Facebook alone accounting for about 18 percent.

Singaporean authorities have identified social media platforms as posing the "highest scam risk to users." The police emphasize that since these platforms profit from advertisements, they must actively ensure these ads do not facilitate criminal activity. The new code requires platforms to screen advertisements for potential scam indicators, such as masked URL links, and to promptly remove suspected fraudulent content, including user-reported ads.

These stricter rules build upon existing measures under the Online Criminal Harms Act. While previous codes led to a 37 percent drop in online scam cases in 2025, scammers continue to adapt. Singapore is also introducing a separate code for messaging and conferencing services like WhatsApp and Telegram, recognizing their role in facilitating scams. The measures reflect a broader concern, with a recent survey showing 84 percent of Singaporean residents encountering harmful online content, primarily related to illegal activities.