Ofcom cracks down on loophole used by criminals to intercept text messages
'Our ban will help prevent them falling into the wrong hands – protecting mobile users and our critical telecoms infrastructure in the process.'
Communications regulator Ofcom is set to take "world-leading" action to stop criminals maliciously using mobile networks to intercept text messages, including those containing bank security codes.
The authority, which regulates telecoms, internet and broadcasting in the UK, has announced tighter restrictions on phone numbers known as Global Titles. These special numbers are used by mobile networks to support services by ensuring messages and calls reach intended recipients.
According to Ofcom, up until now, Global Titles could be leased out to third parties. This resulted in a technical loophole allowing cyber criminals to access and intercept the contents of messages, including codes sent by banks to their customers via text.
In response, Ofcom has said it will now completely ban the leasing of Global Titles.
Natalie Black, the regulator's group director for network and communications, said: 'We are taking world-leading action to tackle the threat posed by criminals gaining access to mobile networks.
'Leased Global Titles are one of the most significant and persistent sources of malicious signalling.
'Our ban will help prevent them falling into the wrong hands – protecting mobile users and our critical telecoms infrastructure in the process.'
Ofcom said the risk posed by the leasing of Global Titles has been recognised by organisations including the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
However, industry-led efforts to address the issue have not been effective so far.
Ofcom has said this has resulted in it stepping in to introduce the ban.
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NCSC chief technical officer Ollie Whitehouse said: 'Today's announcement marks an important step in the support of our mission to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.
'This technique, which is actively used by unregulated commercial companies, poses privacy and security risks to everyday users, and we urge our international partners to follow suit in addressing it.
'As the UK's national technical authority for cyber security, we also congratulate Ofcom on their continued global leadership in this critical area.'
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