Government Mandates Licensing For Social Media And Messaging Platforms Effective 1 August

Only platforms with at least eight million registered users are required to do so.
(credit: TechTRP)

Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest stories and updates.

Starting 1 August 2024, all social media and internet messaging services such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok etc. with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for a Class Licence, according to the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

The MCMC emphasised that failure to obtain a Class Licence for Application Service Providers under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 after the effective date would constitute an offence, with appropriate legal action possible under the Act.

The enforcement of this regulation will begin on 1 January 2025.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the MCMC explained that this move aligns with the Cabinet’s decision to ensure that social media and internet messaging services comply with Malaysian laws.

This measure aims to combat the rise in cybercrime offences, including scams, online fraud, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes against children.

The MCMC clarified that the new regulatory framework applies only to services that meet the licensing eligibility criteria and does not involve their users.

This initiative is expected to create a safer online ecosystem and enhance the user experience, particularly for children and families.

Alarming rise of sexual crimes and online scams on social media

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching highlighted the alarming rise in sexual crimes involving children on social media, with 360 cases recorded in 2022, increasing to 525 cases in 2023, according to Bernama.

From January to June this year alone, 288 cases have already been reported.

Regarding online fraud, the financial losses have been staggering. In 2022, losses amounted to RM453 million, which surged to RM1.2 billion last year.

From January to June this year, the police have recorded losses of RM637 million.

She also clarified that this regulation is not exclusive to Malaysia, as comparable policies are implemented in other countries, such as Singapore and the United Kingdom (UK).

However, according to Eric Paulsen, former Representative of Malaysia to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), and Co-Founder & Adviser of Lawyers for Liberty, stated that there’s no such thing.

Upon checking, the nearest equivalent to a social media license in Singapore is a new code of practice for social media platforms.

This code mandates online safety by obliging platforms to quickly notify users about the measures taken in response to their reports of online harm.

The legislation permits authorities to instruct platforms to eliminate harmful content, with non-compliance potentially leading to fines up to SGD1 million (~RM34.5 million) or service suspension in Singapore.

For the UK, they introduced the Online Safety Bill, which expect social media platforms to:

  • Require social media platforms to swiftly remove illegal content or prevent it from appearing, including content promoting self-harm.
  • Protect children from harmful and age-inappropriate content.
  • Enforce age limits and implement age-checking measures.
  • Increase transparency about risks and dangers posed to children on major social media platforms through published risk assessments.
  • Offer parents and children clear and accessible ways to report online issues.

Human rights lawyers slammed this move as an attempt to silence criticism

Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), a prominent human rights non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Malaysia stated that this regulation represent an unlawful and authoritarian attempt to suppress online criticism of the government.

LFL said this would undermine the Constitution and push Malaysia toward dictatorial rule.

Share your thoughts with us via TechTRP's Facebook, Twitter and Telegram channel for the latest stories and updates.

Previous Post

Sabertrio, Malaysia’s Master Builder Of Custom Lightsabers

Next Post

Register “.my” Domain With MYNIC And Stand A Chance To Win A Proton X50

Related Posts
Total
0
Share