SMS Sender ID Register

ACCAN has made a submission to the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) consultation in relation to the design, implementation and operation of an SMS Sender ID registry. A sender ID is an alphanumeric message header that appears at the top of SMS/MMS messages. It tells you who the message is from.

The proposals are intended to disrupt impersonation scams where a scammer sends an SMS/MMS with a sender ID that imitates a well-known brand, and entices the message recipient to pay money.

ACCAN supports the establishment of an SMS Sender ID registry and has recommended that the ACMA:

• Prioritise positive consumer outcomes through the consistent application of the SMS Sender ID Register.

• Introduce more stringent requirements for telecommunication providers to establish an entity’s valid use case.

• Ensure a sender ID must only be registered to a single entity.

• Develop a robust, secure and accountable proxy arrangement to allow for the participation of international entities and telecommunication providers.

• Limit the number of sender IDs that can be registered by a single entity.

• Remove sender IDs from the register if the sender ID has not been used by the entity in the past two years.

• Adopt a proactive and comprehensive role in the design, implementation, and ongoing management and enforcement of the SMS sender ID register.