Facebook should invest in AI to tackle harmful content, says Fahmi Fadzil

Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil has reportedly said that Facebook should invest in artificial intelligence (AI) to combat harmful content. The minister explained that the social media giant earned RM2.5 billion from Malaysians last year and should have the resources to do so. 

The minister also added that AI could play a crucial role in addressing online crimes such as scams, online gambling, cyberbullying and child sexual exploitation, reported Utusan Malaysia.

The minister reportedly made these comments at the eight International Search Conference, 'Media evolution - navigating sustainability and disruption in a dynamic world' which was held at Taylor's University on 11 November. 

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Fahmi stated that social media platforms were often slow in their response to harmful content and remove them only after complaints are received from authorities. He reportedly urged that these platforms take a more proactive approach in helping the government combat these crimes online. 

Fahmi reportedly said that the Royal Malaysia Police has liaised with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for technical support in its handling of a recent case where there were Facebook pages linked to child sexual exploitation on the X platform. 

Whilst Meta has since removed the harmful content, their response was "reactive", Fahmi reportedly added, citing that Meta's decision to act after an issue is raised is one of the reasons why the government is advocating for licensing of social media platforms. 

This isn't Fahmi's first time calling out Meta. In a statement on Facebook, Fahmi "reminded Meta" that the government's intention to impose the license is to address issues of crime migrating to social media.

Fahmi also called out Meta in the statement, saying "I also rebuke Meta for still failing to address pedophilia and child sexual grooming crimes, especially on the Facebook platform."

"Meta needs to be much more proactive in targeting groups on Meta's social media accounts that are responsible for such sexual crime activities," said Fahmi in his Facebook statement. 

That said, Meta has not yet decided whether or not to apply for a social media license in Malaysia, due to a lack of clarity over the new regulations, Meta's director of public policy for SEA Rafael Frankel reportedly said earlier this month. 

In an interview with Reuters, Frankel expressed that the timeline to apply for a license was "exceptionally accelerated", and the obligations for social media firms under the plan remained unclear. 

In addition, Frankel said Meta does not need a licensing regime to take online safely seriously as it already shares the Malaysian government's goal for a safe online environment.

He added that Meta was working closely with the government to remove or restrict harmful content from its platforms.  Without providing additional details, Frankel reportedly said that Meta has shared its concerns with the government and hopes to "bridge the differences". 

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