Singapore’s Ministry of Affairs’ e-commerce safety ratings system has given Facebook’s Facebook Marketplace just one out of four in its tick-based safety rating.

Launched on 14 May, E-commerce Marketplace Transaction Safety Ratings (TSR) is a government initiative created to better inform consumers on the anti-scam measures major e-commerce platforms have in place in order to foster a safer online environment.

Facebook Marketplace was the lowest scoring of six platforms assessed, including Amazon, Lazada, and Qoo10, who were given full marks while Shopee and Carousell scored three and two ticks respectively.

Consumers can also refer to a TSR microsite for further advice on safety features to look out for, and specific features provided by each e-commerce marketplace. The microsite aims to raise consumer awareness on features that keep e-commerce transactions safe and to encourage the use of safety features and best practices when shopping online.

To further secure e-commerce marketplaces from scams, the MHA has also revised its Technical Reference 76 on Guidelines for Electronic Commerce Transactions (TR 76) - to provide e-retailers and online intermediaries such as e-commerce marketplaces, with additional guidelines to better secure e-commerce transactions from scams.

The best practices secure different areas of transactions, covering pre, during and post-purchase activities, customer support and merchant verification. Their overall intent is to better enable merchant authenticity, improve transaction security and assist with enforcement against potential scams.

On the new measures, Desmond Tan, chairman of the Inter-Ministry Committee of Scams and Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, said: “Adoption of anti-scam measures in the revised TR 76 guidelines by e-commerce retailers and e-commerce marketplaces will better secure e-commerce transactions and protect our consumers from e-commerce scams.

“The E-commerce Marketplace Transaction Safety Ratings build on these guidelines, by raising consumer awareness on the anti-scam measures on major e-commerce marketplaces in Singapore,” he added.

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