BANGKOK, Thailand – The administration plans to implement tighter regulations on pre-installed software and applications in smartphones and tablets. The move aims to address concerns about unauthorized financial loan apps found on devices sold by major manufacturers.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society Prasert Jantararuangtong announced the initiative after loan apps were discovered on devices from OPPO and Realme without prior authorization. Financial applications installed on such devices must first receive approval from the Bank of Thailand. Preliminary checks revealed no approval had been granted for the apps in question.
Minister Prasert stated that the absence of formal measures in the past contributed to the issue. Moving forward, stricter guidelines will regulate the inclusion of software on devices sold in the Thai market. These rules will ensure that applications, especially those involving financial transactions, are subject to review by relevant authorities before pre-installation. The authorities are also examining potential violations under the Computer Crime Act and data protection laws.
Investigations will also focus on whether loans issued through these apps adhered to financial regulations. Reports suggest that unauthorized transactions may have occurred, prompting a closer look by the authorities.
While no formal complaints of financial harm have been filed, concerns about consumer inconvenience and data privacy remain a priority. The government has pledged to review all smartphone models sold in Thailand to prevent similar issues. (NNT)
