DSI Urges Tech Giants to Remove Illegal Loan Apps in Thailand

According to a report by Matichon Online on November 13, 2026, Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has taken formal action to address the proliferation of illegal loan applications. The agency has issued official requests to both Google and Apple, urging them to remove any lending applications from their digital stores that lack proper authorization within the country. The DSI emphasized that there are currently only eight lending providers that hold the necessary legal registration to operate in Thailand. This initiative is part of a broader effort to protect consumers from predatory lending practices and unauthorized financial services. For residents and expatriates, this development highlights the importance of verifying the legitimacy of any financial service provider before engaging in transactions. Using unauthorized apps can expose users to significant financial risks, including excessive interest rates and data privacy concerns. While the DSI has initiated this request, it remains to be confirmed how quickly the tech companies will respond to these demands and what specific criteria will be used to identify and purge the illegal applications from their respective platforms. Users are advised to exercise caution and rely only on officially recognized financial institutions.