Australian authorities have registered new rules requiring telecommunications companies in the country to identify, trace and block SMS scams to protect customers.
The latest move by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) was to counter the rapidly rising number of SMS scams reported by people.
Apart from blocking scam text messages, the new rules developed by ACMA and industry peak body Communications Alliance also require telecommunications companies to publish information to help customers manage and report scams.
In particular, telcos are now responsible for sharing scam information with each other and reporting identified scams to authorities.
According to ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin, the new rules would make it harder for scammers to carry out their schemes….