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SMS platform launched to combat fraud
President Tsai Ing-wen has launched a government short code SMS platform as part of efforts to combat fraud.
Speaking at an event marking the launch of the new system, Tsai said the text message platform will combat scam text messages purporting to be sent by government agencies through cooperation with major telecom operators.
Tsai described combating fraud as being like preventing disease, while thanking telecom operators for working with the government. And she went on to say that the operators filtered out nearly seven million scam text messages and blocked over 16 million phone calls from foreign scammers in the first nine months of this year.
The short code SMS platform has been developed by the Ministry of Digital Affairs. It will allow government ministries and agencies to send text messages with the specific and dedicated government short code "111" to help members of the public recognize the source of messages. Digital Minister Audrey Tang says the complete operation of the text platform service will begin in January.
