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Any organisation sending branded text messages after July next year without registering will be listed as “unverified” under the new SMS Sender ID Register scheme.
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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has urged every Australian organisation that uses brand identifiers in its SMS communications to register its sender ID with its telecommunications provider in time for the launch of the SMS Sender ID Register scheme, which launches in 2026.
Any organisation that fails to register by the time the scheme launches on 1 July will have their text communications designated as unverified, and all such messages will be lumped together in a single thread on their phones, making it easier to identify potential scam or otherwise malicious messages.
Nerida O’Loughlin, the ACMA’s chair, said the call to action is an urgent one for any organisation that uses sender IDs, such as banks, healthcare providers, retailers, and not-for-profits.
“Anyone using sender IDs must act now to prepare for these changes and get their sender ID registered to take advantage of the new protections,” O’Loughlin said in a 1 December statement.
“If a legitimate organisation does not register their sender ID, their messages could be mistaken for a scam, disrupting customer communications and affecting brand reputation.”
The ACMA website is hosting a list of participating telco providers, with more due to sign up shortly. From 1 July 2026, however, all Australian telcos will be expected to participate in the register. Telcos will also be expected to help educate consumers about the register and its requirements.
“This includes registered sender IDs being clearly linked to the registering organisation, such as matching a business name or trademark,” the ACMA said.
The SMS Sender ID Register is a part of the Australian government’s Fighting Scams initiative. You can learn more about the register and how it works here.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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