Social media platforms must verify advertisers’ identities under new Singapore code

By January 31, 2027, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok must verify the identities of advertisers on their platforms, ensuring they are licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore or other relevant authorities in Singapore. The platforms must also block advertisements from financial services firms not licensed in Singapore. Failure to comply will result in criminal penalties under the Online Criminal Harms Act, which may entail fines of up to S$1 million.

These requirements come as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounted for approximately 30% of total scam cases in 2025, with Facebook alone responsible for about 18% of the cases. The police emphasized the need for these platforms to prevent advertisements suspected of being linked to scams from being published, including those with masked URL links or leading to suspicious content.

The new Social Media Code enhances existing codes for online communication and e-commerce services under the Online Criminal Harms Act, which have already contributed to a 37% drop in scam cases on online services in 2025.