Meta is ramping up its efforts to protect Singaporeans from scams across its multiple platforms.
The social media giant announced it’s rolling out new tools on WhatsApp and Messenger that are designed to make it easier for users to protect themselves online.
In Singapore, WhatsApp users will now receive an on-screen alert if they attempt to share their screen with someone who isn’t saved in their contacts during a video call. Meta says this new safeguard is designed to prevent scammers from accessing users’ sensitive information.
Meanwhile, Messenger is adding enhanced scam detection, a new tool that notifies users if they receive a suspicious message from an unknown sender. Users can then submit the message to Meta for an AI review.
These new anti-scam tools are part of Meta’s ongoing commitment to helping Singaporeans spot and avoid scams before any damage is done.
Scams in Singapore remain a significant concern due to their scale and in some specific cases, their severity. In the first half of 2025, Meta reported that it took action against nearly 12 million scam-linked accounts globally, including the removal of over 68,000 fake accounts and 650,000 scam-related ads in Singapore.
“At Meta, protecting our users from scams is a top priority,” said Ms Clara Koh, Head of Public Policy, Central Southeast Asia & ASEAN. “The launch of these anti-scam tools in Singapore and our ongoing public education campaigns underscore our continuing commitment to user safety and empowering Singaporeans with essential digital literacy skills.”
In addition, Meta has also made it easier for users to secure their accounts with passkeys, which is a safer alternative to traditional passwords, on Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp. Users also already have access to privacy and security checkup tools in their accounts’ settings, such as the ability to enable strong passwords, set up two-factor authentication and two-step verification.
Alongside the new anti-scam tools, the company is also working with Singapore’s government agencies for digital literacy initiatives that would similarly help protect users stay safe online.
Meta recently participated in the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) Digital for Life Festival, hosting interactive exhibitions, activity kiosks, and education sessions, empowering parents and youths with practical tools and resources to build healthy digital habits, understand digital footprints, recognize scams and practice online safety.
“At the DfL Festival this year, Meta stepped forward to equip parents and youths with practical tools and resources to develop healthy digital habits, and educate everyone on how to stay safe against scams. Through collaboration with DfL partners like Meta, IMDA will continue to foster a more inclusive digital society as Singapore digitalizes more,” said Ms Doreen Tan, Assistant Chief Executive of Strategic Planning and Digital Readiness at IMDA.
Meta has also collaborated with local podcasts such as The Daily Ketchup, Rise N’ Shine, and Yah Lah But, to run public service announcements that encourage Singaporeans to enable two-step verification and use block and report features on WhatsApp.
Meta has rolled out new anti-scam safeguards for WhatsApp and Messenger in Singapore.
WhatsApp users will now receive an on-screen alert if they attempt to share their screen with someone who isn’t saved in their contacts during a video call.
Meanwhile, Messenger users will be notified if they receive a suspicious message from an unknown sender, which they can then send to Meta for AI review.
