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AIS has signed a memorandum of understanding with Singtel and Maxis, leading telecommunications companies in ASEAN, marking the first international telecommunications collaboration on APIs. This initiative aims to enhance real-time data sharing, strengthen identity verification, and prevent fraud. By expanding the AIS Open API services, this collaboration ensures increased security for applications in user verification and fraud prevention, extending its reach across the region.

AIS Open API is a suite of certified connectivity services (Application Programming Interfaces – APIs) by GSMA. It is available for application developers from various businesses to access telecommunications network capabilities, fostering innovation and enhancing user security. Current services include digital user authentication registered with telecom companies and checking if transactions are being conducted from devices with recently changed SIM cards. This is aimed at fraud detection and prevention, addressing the high incidence of online transaction fraud in ASEAN, primarily driven by automated bots targeting e-commerce payments.

AIS Open API is applicable across industries such as banking, financial services, e-commerce, and online gaming, enabling enhanced multi-factor authentication for safer transactions through Number Verification API. Additionally, the SIM Swap API helps prevent fraud by verifying conditions when SIM cards are changed, mitigating the risk of account takeovers. Telecom providers can further enhance security measures to protect against cyber threats, minimizing the impact on digital usage for the public.

Mr. Phupa Akavipat, Acting Chief Enterprise Business Officer, AIS, stated, "This collaboration is a significant step in our mission to protect the safety of our customers and digital service users. By leveraging our telecommunications expertise and resources with Singtel and Maxis, we are creating the powerful 'AIS Open API' platform. This will enhance credibility and security for businesses and consumers in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. The unified effort in phone number verification via API strengthens businesses and digital platform providers in verifying digital identities both domestically and regionally through real-time phone number checks, leveraging the strengths of these telecom companies together. The AIS Open API offers comprehensive and secure solutions to prevent various types of fraud, including account takeovers and phishing attacks. Phone number verification through AIS Open API significantly reduces the risk of fraud, enhancing customer trust."

Mr. Ng Tian Chong, Chief Executive Officer, Singtel Singapore, said, "The growth of e-commerce in this region may lead to increased opportunities for digital fraud, significantly impacting consumers and businesses. We are delighted to collaborate with AIS and Maxis to address this issue and protect customers. This collaboration will enable the use of telecom data to seamlessly verify identities, protect, and reduce financial losses, ensuring a secure digital experience for customers in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. We will continue to lead the fight against digital fraud and invite other mobile network operators to join us in creating a stronger ecosystem for everyone."

Mr. Goh Seow Eng, Chief Executive Officer of Maxis said, “As Malaysia’s leading integrated telco, we provide fast, reliable, and secure connectivity that meets the needs of customers. This collaboration protects customers against online threat actors so they can progress on their digital transformation journey with peace of mind.”

Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific at the GSMA, said: “I’m delighted three of Asia’s most innovative mobile operators have come together, through the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, to tackle online fraud and help increase consumer trust in new digital services across Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Fraudulent attacks can have a profound impact on victims, including financial losses and distress, resulting in a degradation of trust in digital platforms. Cybercriminals operate beyond national borders, so it’s vital that mobile operators and developers of digital services unify behind a common approach to fraud prevention wherever they are in the world.”

The signing ceremony took place at the Digital Nation Summit in Singapore on 25 July 2024, between AIS, Singtel Singapore, and Maxis Malaysia. This collaboration allows developers to provide services to over 61.6 million users across Thailand (45 million AIS users), Malaysia (12 million Maxis users), and Singapore (4.6 million Singtel users), furthering the development of secure applications to combat regional cyber threats and fraud.

For businesses interested in new-age identity verification services through AIS Open API, please contact the AIS Business team immediately or visit [AIS Open API] (https://ais.th/business/enterprise/technology-and-solution/communication/ais-open-api) for more details.