Singapore regulators have directed Meta to step up anti-scam measures, including facial recognition tools, to tackle impersonation on Facebook.

The Competent Authority under the Online Criminal Harms Act within the Singapore Police Force issued a second Implementation Directive to Meta.

Police said the first directive, issued in September 2025, led to fewer scams involving impersonation of the listed key government office holders, but scammers have since shifted to targeting individuals not covered under the earlier order.

Under the new directive, Meta must implement enhanced facial recognition measures in Singapore and prioritise the review of user reports from Singapore.

The measures target scam advertisements, accounts, profiles and business pages impersonating government office holders not covered previously, as well as individuals assessed by police to be at high risk of impersonation, including those who have filed police reports.

Meta must comply with these requirements by 31 January 2026 for additional government office holders, and by 28 February 2026 for high-risk individuals.

The directive also requires Meta to introduce facial recognition measures for notable Facebook users in Singapore, with a phased rollout and full implementation by 30 June 2026.

Failure to comply without reasonable excuse could result in a fine of up to S$1 million, with an additional fine of up to S$100,000 for each day or part of a day the offence continues after conviction.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by thannaree via Freepik