What content is affected?
A plain email address is not expressly identified as one of the three headline categories in the operator guidance cited below. However, businesses should still avoid requesting sensitive or personal information through SMS and should confirm current requirements with their SMS provider.
Why were these restrictions introduced?
Fraudsters frequently use SMS links to imitate banks, delivery companies, government agencies and well-known brands. A link can take a recipient to a fake login or payment page, while a callback number can direct the recipient to a scammer. Blocking these elements reduces some common paths used in smishing attacks.
What does this mean for Picture SMS?
Traditional SMS cannot directly carry a web image. Picture SMS therefore sends a URL that opens an image and message in a browser. Because that delivery method depends on a URL, it is generally not suitable for SMS campaigns sent to Malaysian mobile subscribers under current restrictions.
What can Malaysian businesses use instead?
WebSMS2U can support compliant link-free SMS communication. WebWMS2U is the more appropriate option for rich media, links, automated replies and WhatsApp customer engagement.
Authoritative and industry references
- Maxis Business: Blocking of URL in SMS
- CelcomDigi: SMS content blocking guidance
- Twilio: Malaysia SMS Guidelines
Rules and carrier filtering can change. Confirm the latest requirements with your provider before sending. This page is general operational information, not legal advice.