31 July 2024
Popular social media and OTT messaging services in Malaysia will have to apply for a class licence under a new framework to be introduced by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
According to a statement released by the MCMC, a new regulatory framework to combat cybercrime will be introduced on 1 August. Under the framework, social media and OTT messaging services with over 8 million registered users must apply for a class licence for application service providers. This includes international social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter), as well as messaging services like WhatsApp, WeChat and Telegram.
Up to now, social media and messaging service providers have been exempt from licensing requirements based on the Communications and Multimedia (Licensing) (Exemption) Order 2000. However, the Malaysian government has proposed licences for social media platforms since late last year over concerns about the rise of scams, online gambling, cyberbullying and deepfake videos of celebrities and public figures promoting fraudulent investment schemes, among other things. A licencing scheme would allow the government to impose conditions on social media platforms regarding content moderation, and give it leverage to enforce compliance.
The MCMC said that the new regulatory framework “is in line with the Malaysian Cabinet's decision that social media services and internet messaging services must comply with Malaysian laws, to combat the rise in cybercrime offences including scams and online fraud, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes against children.”
