In a landmark move demonstrating alignment between public policy and industry standards, the UK Home Office has confirmed that its forthcoming 2nd UK Telecom Fraud Charter will be based on the MEF Business SMS Code of Conduct for its A2P Messaging part. This decision marks a major step in the government’s campaign to combat telecoms fraud, particularly within the business messaging and Application-to-Person (A2P) SMS sector.
This collaborative initiative reflects a strong commitment to leveraging established industry frameworks to address one of the most pressing challenges facing the messaging ecosystem: fraud prevention.
By adopting the MEF Code, the Home Office signals its intention to work hand-in-hand with industry to drive practical, enforceable, and forward-looking solutions.
As part of this ongoing collaboration, the Home Office and MEF this week co-hosted a focused session during MEF Connects Business Messaging in London to review recent developments to the UK Telecom Fraud Charter and engage directly with stakeholders from across the messaging landscape. The session served as a vital forum for open dialogue, updates on progress since the Charter’s initial launch, and meaningful discussions on the Charter’s next phase.
With specific emphasis on A2P messaging the session underscored the need for a unified approach to fraud prevention and compliance. Participants included representatives from mobile operators, CPaaS providers, aggregators, and other key players within the business messaging ecosystem.
One of the most significant developments discussed during the session was the expanded role of the Home Office in overseeing the MEF Business SMS Code of Conduct. This includes several important commitments:
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The Home Office will be included on the MEF Code of Conduct Dispute Committee, which adjudicates disputes between Code signatories. This direct involvement strengthens the integrity and transparency of the Code’s enforcement.
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The department will also review potential violations of the Code of Conduct, with an eye toward potential public reporting of non-compliance. This move underscores a robust and proactive approach to ensuring accountability within the sector.
This elevated level of participation by a government agency is a clear signal that telecoms fraud is being treated with the seriousness it warrants — not just as a technical or commercial issue, but as a matter of public interest and policy.
The Home Office announced that it is targeting September 2025 for the finalization of the UK Telecom Fraud Charter. In preparation, it is actively consulting with a wide range of stakeholders, including mobile network operators, CPaaS providers, aggregators, and other key business messaging companies.
The collaboration between MEF and the Home Office represents a powerful model for how government and industry can work together to tackle fraud. By anchoring the UK Telecom Fraud Charter in the MEF Code, and by fostering active dialogue with messaging stakeholders, the Home Office is helping to create a more robust and resilient telecoms environment.
Additionally, the Home Office is working closely with UK law enforcement, Ofcom, and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure the Charter aligns with broader efforts to safeguard digital communications and enforce regulatory standards.
This cross-sector collaboration reflects a comprehensive approach — one that combines industry expertise with public sector authority to create a more secure and trusted messaging environment.
At the heart of this initiative is the MEF Business SMS Code of Conduct, a self-regulatory framework that sets out clear and practical standards for all players in the A2P SMS value chain. The Code addresses essential issues such as:
- Message content and timing
- Data privacy and protection
- Fraud prevention and detection
- Roles and responsibilities across the messaging ecosystem
The Code has long served as a benchmark for ethical and commercially responsible behavior in the messaging industry. With the UK Home Office now helping to enforce and promote it, the Code gains new weight — both as a deterrent to bad actors and as a blueprint for best practices.
The collaboration between MEF and the Home Office represents a powerful model for how government and industry can work together to tackle fraud. By anchoring the UK Telecom Fraud Charter in the MEF Code, and by fostering active dialogue with messaging stakeholders, the Home Office is helping to create a more robust and resilient telecoms environment.
As the Charter continues to evolve, industry input will remain essential. Businesses involved in messaging — whether as senders, enablers, or regulators — are encouraged to engage in the conversation, align with the Code, and contribute to a shared vision of trust, compliance, and innovation.
