To prevent fraud groups from sending text messages in the name of the government, the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) strengthened the anti-fraud identification mechanism of the "111 Government SMS Platform" in June. Government text messages will start with the last three digits of the recipient's mobile phone number and the name of the agency. Triple verification through the "source number," "last three digits of the mobile phone number," and "agency name" enables rapid verification of authenticity, increases public trust in government information, and strengthens anti-fraud security.

MODA pointed out that fraud groups illegally use 2G base stations to block the base stations and send 111 SMS in the name of the government. To enhance public trust in digital government services, the Ministry has integrated services of the 111 government text message platform and implemented the "Three Steps for Identification of Government SMS" to improve identification for fraud prevention. Starting in June, when citizens receive government SMS messages, in addition to the number "111," the message will begin with the last three digits of the recipient's mobile phone number and the name of the relevant agencies as unique identifiers for citizen identification. The three lines of defense of the "111 government-exclusive code," "the last three digits of the user's mobile phone number," and the "agency name" work closely together to create a simple information transmission mechanism that effectively reduces the risk of people becoming victims of fraud.

The Ministry explained that the 111 government SMS platform establishes a rigorous technical defense line. Government agencies must obtain authorization from the MODA before using the platform, which uses an IP whitelist for control. The entire data transmission process is encrypted to ensure the security and legitimacy of text messages. In addition, text message sending not only supports manual operation and API connection, but also allows text messages to be sent in batches or periodically according to business needs. After a text message is sent, the 111 government SMS platform will not retain the recipient's information to minimize the risk of personal data processing and ensure that information is transmitted safely and efficiently.

The Ministry stated that more than 500 government agencies and state-owned enterprises have begun using the 111 government SMS platform, sending over 60 million text messages since its launch in 2023. The platform has been extensively utilized for sending water and electricity bills, doctor's appointment reminders, labor insurance notifications, and vaccination reminders, achieving remarkable results. In the future, the Ministry will continue to deepen cooperation with the National Communications Commission and the National Police Agency of the Ministry of the Interior and develop a trustworthy, stable, and fraud-proof government SMS system through source verification, communication control, and fraud investigation.