SINGAPORE, 26 September 2025 — Meta Platforms, parent of Facebook, has been ordered by the Singapore government to implement more robust anti-scam measures by 30 September 2025, or face a fine of up to S$1 million, in response to a surge in impersonation scams. If noncompliance continues, additional daily penalties of up to S$100,000 may be imposed.
Under the directive—the first issued under Singapore’s new Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA)—Meta must deploy tools such as facial recognition, step up review of flagged accounts and content originating in Singapore, and take swift action to remove fraudulent ads, profiles, pages, and business accounts impersonating government officials.
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs noted that impersonation scams using assets like images, video, or names of government officeholders have grown substantially from June 2024 to June 2025, with Facebook being identified as the principal platform used for these scams.
Meta has previously stated it deploys detection systems, including facial recognition, advertiser verification, and moderation teams, and collaborates with law enforcement on account takedowns. The company did not immediately comment on the government’s latest directive.
This enforcement action highlights Singapore’s growing willingness to hold social media platforms accountable for digital harms, particularly as acts of impersonation erode public trust and enable financial fraud. For Meta, compliance will require technological upgrades, faster review processes, and close alignment with law enforcement priorities—all within a tight deadline.
