Taiwan Cracks Down on Telecom Fraud with NCC's Three-Strike Policy and Data Integration
Fraudulent activities on the internet and phone networks are on the rise, according to the National Communications Commission (NCC).
Forget about those pesky scammers, because the National Communications Commission (NCC) in Taiwan has taken a stand against telecom fraud with the implementation of their tough-as-nails three-strike policy and data integration measures.
According to the latest survey, a staggering 70% of Taiwanese fell victim to telephone or internet scams in 2024, a rise from 65.9% in 2023. Thankfully, the NCC is working hard to turn the tide on these swindlers.
Taiwanese telecom fraudsters have been busying themselves with tricks like bogus international calls and scam text messages, but the NCC ain't playing around. Last year, the commission worked with telecom companies to introduce voice alerts for international calls and implement a code system for short message services (SMS). Private companies can now apply for the commercial SMS code service to help their customers verify the authenticity of text messages and weed out the scammers.
But that's not all. NCC also urged telecoms to implement a know-your-customer (KYC) risk management mechanism and set up a communication channel with government agencies. This allows telecoms to connect to databases of the 165 Anti-Fraud Joint Risk Management System and the National Immigration Agency, helping them detect irregularities during the number registration process.
Noncommercial SMS users who send a large volume of messages in a single day will find their services temporarily suspended and will need to undergo KYC verification before resuming. In 2024, a total of 7.98 million text messages were blocked, along with 9.22 million international scam calls. Last year, 2,395 telephone numbers were suspended, and 159.48 million anti-fraud alert messages were sent.
Last November, the NCC introduced a three-strike policy to tackle high-risk users. Those reported by judicial or law enforcement agencies for telecom fraud three times will be restricted, for three years, to registering only one phone number or telecom service with any single telecom. Since the policy was put into action, a total of 537 users have been denied new telecom services, and the results have shown promising effectiveness in curbing fraud incidents.
Deputy Director Huang Tien-yang of the NCC's Department of Platform and Business spoke about the impact of the three-strike policy and data integration measures, stating that they have significantly improved the detection and prevention of telecom fraud. He went on to say, "These measures have transformed anti-fraud work into a collaborative model, combining resources and data from both sectors, which had previously operated more independently."
So if you're a scammer, you better watch your back because the NCC is coming for you with data integration, KYC measures, SMS codes, and a three-strike policy that'll leave your fraudulent ass blocked and banned. Telco fraud, you've been served!
The National Communications Commission (NCC) in Taiwan has expanded its anti-fraud measures beyond telecom fraud, incorporating cybersecurity and finance sectors. Thus, businesses dealing with general-news, crime-and-justice, and potentially technology should be cautious, as these expanded measures could have significant implications for their operations.
Moreover, the successful implementation of data integration measures and the three-strike policy by the NCC has set a precedent for possible regulation in other sectors vulnerable to scammers and fraudsters, signaling a broader crackdown on cybercrime in Taiwan.
