What Changed
- Average monthly local telephone service suspensions decreased to ~5,700 between January and August 2026 following tightened CoP rules.
- TSPs blocked over 8.9 million external '+852' scam calls and suspended over 120,000 fraudulent links and 17,000 telephone numbers.
- The Government is reviewing the Real-name Registration Programme for SIM Cards to reduce individual PPS card limits and establish new statutory offences for using SIM cards registered under others' names.
Telecommunications service providers (TSPs), public organisations, and members of the public in Hong Kong SAR are subject to a range of ongoing and prospective regulatory measures designed to combat telecommunications and cyber fraud. On October 7, 2026, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, issued a written reply to the Legislative Council detailing enforcement data and upcoming legislative reviews under the Communications Authority (CA) and the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA).
Under the Code of Practice on Management of Scam Calls and Scam SMS by Telecommunications Service Providers (CoP), formulated in April 2023 and revised in December 2025, TSPs must monitor network traffic using artificial intelligence and big data to detect suspicious communication patterns. From January to August 2026, the monthly average of local numbers suspended dropped to approximately 5,700, compared to around 11,400 during the same period in 2025. Additionally, pursuant to licence conditions introduced in 2022 under the Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap. 106), TSPs have blocked or suspended over 120,000 webpage links, more than 17,000 local and non-local phone numbers identified by the Police, and over 8.9 million suspicious incoming calls prefixed with '+852'.
To assist the public, TSPs provide voice or text alerts for external '+852' calls and automatic voice alerts when answering calls from newly activated local pre-paid SIM (PPS) cards. Dedicated number mechanisms have also been established for key government bodies and public organisations, such as the 1823 hotline and the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre hotline 18222.
The Hong Kong SAR Government is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the Real-name Registration Programme for SIM Cards. Proposed enhancements include lowering the maximum registration limit of PPS cards for individual users and creating new statutory offences that criminalise using SIM cards registered with another person's information without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
Who May Be Affected
Telecommunications service providers, pre-paid SIM card subscribers, government and public bodies, and phone users in Hong Kong SAR.
Cross-Border Context
Applies to incoming communications to Hong Kong SAR, including international calls spoofing or using the local '+852' prefix.
What to check next
- Details and public consultation timetable for the proposed legislative amendments to the Real-name Registration Programme for SIM Cards.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.