Rakuten Mobile has announced that it will roll out its free "Suspicious SMS Rejection Setting" service to eligible individual users starting July 9, 2024. The feature automatically analyzes sender numbers, URLs and phone numbers contained in SMS text before messages reach the user’s device to identify potential phishing scams or malicious app lures. When a message is flagged as high-risk, it will be blocked from delivery, reducing the risk of users accidentally clicking malicious links, having their personal data compromised, or falling victim to financial fraud.
The service primarily blocks two categories of messages: first, SMS that lures users into downloading illegitimate applications; second, messages impersonating official institutions or service platforms to direct users to phishing websites, where fraudsters aim to steal sensitive information such as mobile phone numbers, one-time passcodes (OTP), and bank account details. In recent years, fraudsters have frequently sent SMS posing as delivery services, financial institutions, e-commerce platforms and telecom providers. These messages are typically short in length and designed to create a sense of urgency, making it more likely for users to click embedded links without thorough verification.
The service is available to users subscribed to the "Rakuten Saikyo Plan", "Rakuten Saikyo Plan (Data Type)" and Apple Watch Family Sharing. No application is required — the service will be automatically activated for eligible users on the launch date. Users who wish to opt out can modify the setting via the "Contract Plan" page in the "my Rakuten Mobile" mobile app. The setting cannot be adjusted via the web version, and users must use the app to disable the feature.
Rakuten Mobile also clarified that the function does not guarantee blocking all suspicious SMS. Messages rejected by the system cannot be viewed or recovered. Therefore, enterprises sending important verification codes, billing notices, delivery updates or service notifications should use clearly verifiable sender identities and legitimate URLs to minimize the risk of being mistakenly flagged as phishing messages. Users awaiting important notifications are also advised to proactively check via official apps, customer service channels or official websites, rather than relying on links in suspicious SMS.
The carrier may anonymize and aggregate data on detected risky SMS to improve its recognition models and strengthen cross-industry collaborative fraud prevention. This development indicates that Japanese mobile operators are gradually shifting anti-fraud measures from passive, user-configured defenses to network-side security services enabled by default.
