Ofcom announces new rules to combat text message scams

Ofcom has published mandatory rules for UK mobile operators to combat SMS fraud, requiring person-to-person messaging controls (volume limits, scammer number blocking) and business messaging verification (Know Your Customer checks, Sender ID corroboration). The regulator expects these measures to significantly reduce scam messages, with operators already blocking 600+ million annually. If you build SMS routing, verification, or Know Your Customer platforms for UK telecoms, you're about to get a surge in mandatory compliance demand from the whole industry at once. Ofcom just turned your niche feature into a regulatory requirement for every operator and aggregator.