Resolution of the Electronic Transactions Commission "On Measures to Prevent Technological Crimes for Social Media…

Thailand Introduces Mandatory Facial Scanning for Advertisers on Social Media. According to a new regulation by the Electronic Transactions Commission, all social media platforms will be required to conduct strict identification of individuals who post paid ads. The Electronic Transactions Commission Regulation "Measures to Prevent Technological Crimes for Social Media Service Providers (Issue No.2)". May 5, 2026 (to take effect 180 days after publication, approximately November 2026). - Social platforms (Facebook, Google, TikTok, etc.) must verify the identity of the advertiser before publishing each ad. - Comparison of the user's face with a photo on their government-issued ID card (ID card). - Use of certified high-reliability digital identification systems. - Platforms must store information about the advertiser and payment data for at least 90 days after the end of the advertising campaign. - Advertisers will have to undergo identification and link their account to an ID card. - Foreigners will need to provide passports or company registration documents. - If giants like Meta or Google do not implement these checks, they may face lawsuits and government sanctions. As noted by MP Pavut Pongvitayapanu, this measure is aimed at foreign scam networks that are mass-purchasing ads to deceive Thai citizens. Scammers will find it much harder to maintain anonymity, as each ad will now have a "face" of a specific individual accountable under the law. For readers: Foreign advertisers will be required to provide a passport or company registration documents to place ads on Thailand's social media.