Which online platforms are targeted by new offences for account misuse?

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Online Platforms Targeted by New Offences for Account Misuse

New offences introduced under the Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill will target specific online platforms to curb the misuse of accounts for criminal activities. These offences address actions such as providing personal information to register accounts for criminal use, possessing accounts registered with another person’s details, and supplying or receiving accounts for criminal activity. The legislation aims to provide authorities with stronger and faster tools to detect and disrupt criminal networks.
Designated Platforms for New Offences

The Bill explicitly names several online platforms that will be subject to these new offences. These include widely used social media and communication services such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, and WeChat. Other platforms impacted by these provisions are TikTok, the e-commerce site Carousell, and major technology providers Google and Apple.
Scope of New Account Misuse Offences

The newly introduced offences are designed to address various facets of fraudulent online account activity. This includes the act of providing one's personal details to create accounts that are then used for illicit purposes. Furthermore, the legislation criminalises the possession of accounts that have been registered using someone else's personal information, aiming to prevent identity theft and the exploitation of others' data.
Criminalising the Trade in Fraudulent Accounts

A significant aspect of the new offences targets the supply and receipt of accounts for criminal ventures. This provision seeks to dismantle the infrastructure that facilitates scams by penalising individuals or groups involved in the buying and selling of compromised or fraudulently obtained online accounts. The aim is to disrupt the organised trade in these digital assets, which are often instrumental in the execution of various fraudulent schemes.

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Which online platforms are targeted by new offences for account misuse?

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