Singapore and Australia sign agreement to help combat scams and spam
Mr Lew Chuen Hong, chief executive of IMDA and Ms Nerida O’Loughlin, chair of ACMA, signed an MOU on Jul 18, 2022. (Photo: IMDA)
SINGAPORE: Singapore and Australia have signed an agreement for enhanced cooperation to combat scams and spam.
Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday (Jul 18), the agencies said in a joint statement on Thursday.
The MOU covers cooperation in key areas such as information sharing and assistance in investigations relating to scams, spam calls and short message services.
They also agreed to exchanges of knowledge, expertise and collaboration on technical and commercially viable solutions in relation to scam and spam communications.
"Scam and unsolicited commercial electronic messages and calls are an international problem with scammers continuing to prey on unsuspecting and innocent parties," said the joint statement.
"Both Singapore and Australia recognise the importance of developing a global and coordinated approach to address these threats and for different stakeholders to work together."
The agreement was signed by the chief executive of IMDA Lew Chuen Hong and the chair of ACMA Nerida O’ Loughlin.
The MOU was developed in connection with the Australia-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement, as well as the joint declaration by the prime ministers of Australia and Singapore on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership's objective to deepen bilateral relations and cooperation, as well as enhance the integration of the economies of Australia and Singapore.
Mr Lew said the MOU is "an important step to address global issues that do not respect geographical boundaries", such as harm perpetrated by scams.
Ms O’Loughlin said: "Almost every Australian is impacted by unwanted calls, SMS and emails, and we know that many of our international colleagues are dealing with the same issues.
"This agreement will see us building stronger ties with our Singaporean counterparts to crack down on unsolicited calls and messages, particularly when cross-border issues are involved."
