🚫 Blocked at network level in Malaysia since 1 September 2024
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has directed all operators to block SMS containing prohibited content. This is enforced by the telcos on the network, before the message reaches the recipient. It applies to Person-to-Person and Application-to-Person (enterprise) traffic, local and international, including short codes. Earlier exemptions for essential services were revoked.
Hyperlinks of any kind — including shortened links
Requests for personal information — IC number, account number, password
Telephone numbers for callback — fixed or mobile
📋 What happens to a blocked message: it is stopped by the operator and never delivered. There is no whitelist to join and no exemption to apply for — this applies to every SMS sender in Malaysia, not only iSMS. The directive was introduced to reduce SMS phishing, where scammers embedded links impersonating banks and government agencies.
💳 SMS charging and blocking: SMS charges are applied upon successful submission to the iSMS gateway. If a message is subsequently blocked or rejected by the mobile network due to prohibited content — including hyperlinks, callback numbers, or requests for personal information — the SMS charge still applies and credits will not be refunded. Remove prohibited content from your templates before sending rather than discovering the problem in your delivery report.
Need to send a clickable link, a booking form or a catalogue? Use WhatsApp Business API, where links and buttons are fully supported. See links in SMS — what changed for rewriting affected campaigns.
User Responsibility for Message Content
The iSMS platform is a messaging infrastructure service. MobiWeb Sdn Bhd does not author, review, or endorse any message content sent by users. By using the iSMS platform, you — the user — accept full and sole responsibility for all content transmitted through your account, including ensuring that such content complies with all applicable Malaysian laws and regulations.
MobiWeb reserves the right, but is not obligated, to monitor, filter, or block any message content at its sole discretion. The existence of automated filters does not transfer content responsibility from the user to MobiWeb, and does not guarantee that all prohibited content will be detected or blocked prior to transmission.
Prohibited Content Categories
The following categories of content are prohibited on the iSMS platform. This list is illustrative and not exhaustive — MobiWeb reserves the right to determine whether any content constitutes a violation of this policy:
Child pornography or sexual exploitation of minors
Instructions related to crime, violence, or drug use
Sexually explicit or obscene material
Excessive violence or threatening content
Racist, discriminatory, or hate speech
Terrorism-related or extremist content
Illegal betting or unlicensed gambling promotion
Scam, phishing, or fraudulent content
Impersonation of government, financial institutions, or other entities
Unauthorised financial promotions or investment schemes
Unsolicited marketing in violation of applicable laws
Any content that violates Malaysian law or regulation
Enforcement & Consequences
MobiWeb operates automated content filters on the SMS gateway as a reasonable precaution. However, these filters do not constitute a guarantee of detection, and their presence does not in any way limit the user's sole responsibility for message content.
Where prohibited content is detected or reported, MobiWeb may take any or all of the following actions at its sole discretion:
- Block and prevent delivery of the message in question
- Suspend or permanently terminate the user's iSMS account without prior notice
- Report the activity to MCMC, the Royal Malaysia Police, Bank Negara Malaysia, or any other relevant authority
- Preserve and disclose account records and logs to authorities upon lawful request
- Pursue civil remedies against the user where MobiWeb suffers loss or damage as a result
⚠️ No Refund on Suspension: Accounts suspended or terminated for violation of this policy are not entitled to any refund of unused credits or payments made. All charges remain payable in full regardless of account status.
📋 Credit Deduction: SMS credits are deducted upon message submission to the gateway. Where a message is subsequently identified as prohibited and blocked, credits already consumed at the point of submission may not be reinstated. MobiWeb shall not be liable for any credit loss arising from policy violations by the user.
MobiWeb's Limitation of Liability
MobiWeb Sdn Bhd acts solely as a messaging infrastructure provider. We do not exercise editorial control over message content and are not responsible for any content transmitted by users through the iSMS platform. You agree to fully indemnify, defend, and hold harmless MobiWeb Sdn Bhd, its directors, officers, employees, and agents from any and all claims, penalties, fines, damages, or legal costs arising from your use of the platform in violation of this policy or any applicable law.
MobiWeb reserves the right to amend this prohibited content policy at any time without prior notice. Continued use of the iSMS platform constitutes acceptance of the current policy.
Applicable Legal Framework
Content transmitted through telecommunication devices in Malaysia may give rise to liability under applicable law, including but not limited to:
- Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA) — Sections 211 & 233 (offensive content), and Section 263 (service provider duties, under which the MCMC content-blocking directive is issued)
- Penal Code (Malaysia) — offences relating to threats, fraud, and defamation
- Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (PDPA), as amended in 2024
- Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA)
- Computer Crimes Act 1997
🚨 Report Abuse: If you have received an unsolicited or illegal SMS sent via the iSMS platform, please report it to
[email protected] with the message content, time received, and sender name or number. MobiWeb will investigate all reports and cooperate with authorities where required.