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Tackling the Scourge of Voice Phishing

In recent years, South Korea has faced a growing threat from voice phishing scams, which have caused significant financial losses and eroded public trust in telecommunications systems. These sophisticated fraud schemes, often orchestrated by international criminal networks, have particularly targeted vulnerable populations such as the elderly. Recognizing the severity of this issue, the South Korean government has launched a comprehensive initiative to combat voice phishing and spam through cutting-edge technological measures. This multi-faceted approach aims not only to reduce the number of successful scams but also to enhance the country's overall cybersecurity infrastructure.

At the forefront of this technological crusade is the introduction of the 'Overseas Roaming Notification' service for text messages. This innovative feature will display a '[Roaming Outgoing]' label on messages sent from domestic mobile numbers using overseas roaming services. The rationale behind this measure is that more than half of the impersonation text message scams, where criminals pose as acquaintances claiming to have changed their number, are carried out through overseas roaming. By clearly identifying these messages as originating from abroad, the government hopes to raise immediate suspicion among recipients and reduce the likelihood of them falling victim to such scams.

Another groundbreaking tool in the fight against voice phishing is the development of AI-powered real-time detection systems. SK Telecom, one of South Korea's leading telecommunications companies, is at the forefront of this effort with its 'Real-time Voice Phishing Detection Service.' This system uses artificial intelligence to analyze ongoing phone conversations and can display a 'Voice Phishing Suspicious' alert in real-time if it detects attempts to elicit personal information under false pretenses. While this technology raises some privacy concerns, its potential to prevent fraud in real-time could be a game-changer in the battle against voice phishing.

The government is also taking steps to address the root causes of voice phishing by strengthening regulations on text message resellers and mobile phone activation. The capital requirement for text message resellers will be raised from 500 million won to around 300 million won, aimed at preventing unscrupulous operators from entering the market. Additionally, the period for activating mobile phones has been extended, with users now limited to activating only 3 lines within 180 days, down from the previous 30-day window. These measures are designed to make it more difficult for scammers to obtain and use multiple phone lines for their fraudulent activities.

In a move to empower users in the fight against scams, the government plans to introduce a 'Phishing Report' button in text messages. This feature, to be implemented alongside the existing 'Spam Report' button, will allow users to quickly report suspicious messages potentially related to voice phishing or smishing (SMS phishing). By streamlining the reporting process, authorities hope to gather more data on scam attempts and respond more swiftly to emerging threats. This user-centric approach recognizes the crucial role that an informed and vigilant public plays in combating fraud.