A secret weapon used by cybercriminals to hijack calls, spoof telephne numbers, steal security codes, and even track people’s physical locations is being shut down by regulator Ofcom.
In a major move to tighten mobile network security, Ofcom has announced an immediate ban on the leasing of so-called ‘Global Titles’—technical phone number identifiers that operate behind the scenes of every call and SMS sent around the world.
Though invisible to ordinary users, these Global Titles ensure messages and calls reach the right destination. Mobile networks sometimes lease them to legitimate businesses for service delivery. But when they fall into the wrong hands, the consequences can be serious.
Criminals have exploited leased Global Titles to intercept one-time passcodes sent by banks, access sensitive data, and in extreme cases, track individuals’ whereabouts anywhere in the world. Because the criminals lease these numbers rather than own them outright, they can hide behind a veil of legitimacy—making detection and enforcement incredibly difficult.
The ban comes after years of concern from security experts, including the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), who say industry-led measures to crack down on the abuse have failed to deliver.
Natalie Black, Group Director for Networks and Communications at Ofcom, said:
“We are taking action to tackle the threat posed by criminals gaining access to mobile networks. Leased Global Titles are one of the most significant and persistent sources of malicious signalling. Our ban will help prevent them falling into the wrong hands – protecting mobile users and our critical telecoms infrastructure in the process.”
The NCSC welcomed the decision, with Chief Technical Officer Ollie Whitehouse calling it “an important step” toward making the UK the safest place to live and work online. “This technique, which is actively used by unregulated commercial companies, poses privacy and security risks to everyday users. We urge our international partners to follow suit,” he said.
The ban on new Global Title leasing takes immediate effect, while existing leases must be phased out by April next year, giving legitimate businesses time to make alternative arrangements.
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