Fahmi Fadzil urges Telegram to cooperate in tackling cybercrimes

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Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil reportedly said that the Malaysian communications and multimedia commission (MCMC) and messaging platform Telegram are in discussions to combat cybercrimes.

Speaking at a press conference for 2024 World Post Day celebrations, the minister said he observed various forms of crimes on the platform, including investment scams, drug sales, pornography, crimes against children and sexual materials involving children, reported The Star.

He then urged Telegram to cooperate on these issues and shared that the government is closely monitoring developments in France.

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Fahmi reportedly added that no legal action will be taken against Telegram staff. This is as long as Telegram continues to cooperate with the Malaysian government.

At the same time, the minister reportedly further reaffirmed that all social media platforms and messaging services with more than eight million users in Malaysia must be licensed starting from 1 January 2025.

The minister added that the first draft of a newly developed code of conduct will be ready by the end of October. This gives social media platforms two months to review as well as register with the MCMC.

Failure to do so may result in legal action.

This comes as the United Nations office on drugs and crimes (UNODC) launched a report on Monday (7 Oct) revealing that "powerful and influential regional criminal networks have come to dominate Telegram".

This represents key venues where criminals and service providers congregate, connect, and conduct business online, added UNODC.

"At the same time, there is strong indication that several major criminal service providers based in the region have amassed so much wealth and power that they have begun expanding their licit and illicit business and service lines beyond Southeast Asia," said UNODC in the report.

Photo courtesy Fahmi Fadzil, Facebook

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