Singapore Orders Apple and Google to Stop Government Spoofing on Messaging Apps

Singapore, Nov. 25, 2025 — Singapore has directed Apple and Google to implement new safeguards on iMessage and Google Messages to stop scammers from impersonating government agencies, following a rise in digital fraud cases targeting residents across the city-state.

The directive was issued under the Online Criminal Harms Act, giving authorities the power to compel technology companies to act quickly against online threats. Both firms were given a deadline of November 30 to roll out the required protections.

According to officials, scammers have been using misleading profile names such as “gov.sg” — the same identifier used by legitimate government SMS alerts — to trick users into believing the messages are authentic. On iMessage and Google Messages, these spoofed senders appear nearly identical to official government notifications, making it easy for people to fall victim.

Under the new order, Apple and Google must block or restrict accounts and group chats attempting to mimic government entities. The companies must also ensure that unknown senders’ profile names are hidden or displayed less prominently than their phone numbers, allowing users to more easily identify suspicious messages.

Authorities stressed that once the updates are deployed, users should update their devices and messaging apps to activate the new safeguards. Officials say the measures are part of a broader national push to strengthen digital-security standards as scam operations become more sophisticated across the region.