Telegram has finally agreed to work with the authorities to combat criminal activities on its app.
Minister of Communications and Digital Fahmi Fadzil, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman Tan Sri Salim Fateh Din, IGP Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay and the other top officials in PDRM have met with representatives of Telegram at Bukit Aman police headquarters.
In the one-hour meeting, Fahmi said he has brought up the issue of criminal cases such as fake investment schemes, paedophilia, pornography, and online scams happening on Telegram.
He also stressed that any social media or messaging apps in Malaysia have to abide by the country’s laws.
Telegram has agreed to cooperate and is committed to working with MCMC and the police to clamp down on cyber fraud activities on its platform.
From January 2020 to May 2023, Malaysians suffered a total loss exceeding RM45 million due to various online scams on Telegram.
Previously, Telegram refused to meet with the government and cited its refusal to be politically censored.