All smartphones sold from September must come with an app that can block smishing, or mobile SMS scams.

The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning said it will require all new smartphones to come with the app from next month, in cooperation with the three largest mobile carriers, smartphone manufacturers and mobile vaccine companies to reduce the impact of smishing on smartphone users.

Under the new measure, all smartphones released from next month will have the icon of the anti-smishing program on the home screen. If users tap the icon and agree to download the app, it will be automatically installed for free.

Users can delete the app if they don't want to use it any longer or replace it with another app.