Latest news with #GlobalTitles
South Wales Argus
23-04-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Ofcom crack down on text message loophole used by scammers
The regulator has announced a ban on the leasing of special types of phone numbers known as Global Titles, which are used by mobile networks to support services by ensuring messages and calls reach the intended recipient. The telecoms regulator said that, until now, Global Titles could be leased out to third parties, leading to a technical loophole whereby criminals could potentially get hold of and intercept messages, including security codes sent to bank customers via SMS. In response, Ofcom said it is now banning the leasing of Global Titles. 📵 We're closing a technical loophole in mobile networks that criminals use to intercept calls, texts, and track people's locations. Our new rules crack down on this practice and protect UK mobile users from serious privacy and security risks. 🔗 — Ofcom (@Ofcom) April 22, 2025 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), but that so far, industry-led efforts to address the issue have not been effective. It said this is why it is stepping in to introduce the leasing ban. 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.'
Powys County Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Ofcom cracks down on mobile network loophole used to intercept text messages
Ofcom has said it is taking 'world-leading' action to prevent criminals maliciously using mobile networks to intercept text messages, including bank security codes. The regulator has announced a ban on the leasing of special types of phone numbers known as Global Titles, which are used by mobile networks to support services by ensuring messages and calls reach the intended recipient. The telecoms regulator said that, until now, Global Titles could be leased out to third parties, leading to a technical loophole whereby criminals could potentially get hold of and intercept messages, including security codes sent to bank customers via SMS. 📵 We're closing a technical loophole in mobile networks that criminals use to intercept calls, texts, and track people's locations. Our new rules crack down on this practice and protect UK mobile users from serious privacy and security risks. 🔗 — Ofcom (@Ofcom) April 22, 2025 In response, Ofcom said it is now banning 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), but that so far, industry-led efforts to address the issue have not been effective. It said this is why it is stepping in to introduce the leasing ban. 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.' Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at consumer group Which?, said: 'Fraud is the most common crime in the UK so it's great to see Ofcom take action to close loopholes in mobile networks. 'For every week the Government fails to take action, victims lose millions to fraudsters and organised crime groups. 'Lord Hanson, the fraud minister, must ensure that the Government ends the fragmented approach to scam prevention and outlines a more co-ordinated approach across the tech, banking and telecoms sectors in its upcoming fraud strategy – stopping scammers in their tracks before they have a chance to part people from their hard-earned cash.'
Glasgow Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Ofcom crack down on text message loophole used by scammers
The regulator has announced a ban on the leasing of special types of phone numbers known as Global Titles, which are used by mobile networks to support services by ensuring messages and calls reach the intended recipient. The telecoms regulator said that, until now, Global Titles could be leased out to third parties, leading to a technical loophole whereby criminals could potentially get hold of and intercept messages, including security codes sent to bank customers via SMS. In response, Ofcom said it is now banning the leasing of Global Titles. 📵 We're closing a technical loophole in mobile networks that criminals use to intercept calls, texts, and track people's locations. Our new rules crack down on this practice and protect UK mobile users from serious privacy and security risks. 🔗 — Ofcom (@Ofcom) April 22, 2025 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), but that so far, industry-led efforts to address the issue have not been effective. It said this is why it is stepping in to introduce the leasing ban. '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.'
Leader Live
22-04-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Ofcom crack down on text message loophole used by scammers
The regulator has announced a ban on the leasing of special types of phone numbers known as Global Titles, which are used by mobile networks to support services by ensuring messages and calls reach the intended recipient. The telecoms regulator said that, until now, Global Titles could be leased out to third parties, leading to a technical loophole whereby criminals could potentially get hold of and intercept messages, including security codes sent to bank customers via SMS. In response, Ofcom said it is now banning the leasing of Global Titles. 📵 We're closing a technical loophole in mobile networks that criminals use to intercept calls, texts, and track people's locations. Our new rules crack down on this practice and protect UK mobile users from serious privacy and security risks. 🔗 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), but that so far, industry-led efforts to address the issue have not been effective. It said this is why it is stepping in to introduce the leasing ban. '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.'
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
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. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. 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.'
