More than 60,000 fraudulent content removed from social media in 2024

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The Malaysian communications and multimedia commission (MCMC) has removed a total of 63,652 pieces of fraudulent online content on social media in 2024. This is up from 6,297 pieces removed in 2023, communications deputy minister Teo Nie Ching reportedly said.

The fraudulent online content involved the use of artificial intelligence (AI) such as deepfakes, impersonation of notable figures, videos, graphics and text.

According to reports on Bernama, Teo said that 63,652 is a "substantial number", however she believes there's "much more on there". The minister reportedly said that it is crucial to educate the public to be more vigilant, verify information and refrain from sharing if unsure. She reportedly made these remarks when asked about fraud statistics on social media and deepfakes featuring notable figures.

Don't miss: MCMC reportedly removes over 1,000 AI-generated explicit content

She added that the scams take the form of investment guru schemes where notable figures were used to trick victims into joining WhatsApp groups and falling prey to investment fraud. Statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police also revealed that investments scams are the most prevalent type of scam, Teo reportedly said.

In tandem, Teo called on online platforms such as TikTok and META to review and enhance their monitoring efforts. This comes following the increase of harmful fraudulent online content involving AI.

The minister hopes that these platforms can think of ways to include a note in the posts indicating that the content is AI-generated. She reportedly added that these platforms have to bear the responsibility to ensure that content created is genuine.

Earlier in December 2024, Teo said that 1,225 items of AI-generated explicit content have been removed by the MCMC. This is compared to 186 in 2022.

In addition, 800 items removed were child sexual exploitation content, 766 more than 2022.

In light of the increase in alarming content, MCMC proposed an amendment to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), where anyone found to be distributing explicit content for commercial purposes could face up to five years in jail, a fine of up to RM1 million, or both.

Making the online a safer space has been a key focus for the MCMC in the past year. The nation recently implemented a social media license to regulate content and end harmful illegal content online. At one point, it even considered developing its own social media app specifically for Malaysians.

In a statement released by the MCMC back in August 2024, it said the regulatory framework was introduced as a key step towards a safer online environment, including addressing online gambling, scams and pornography. It added that it has "consistently engaged with a broad spectrum of stakeholders" and will be "undertaking a public inquiring exercise to solicit feedback from all relevant parties to ensure that the final framework is fair, effective and reflective of the needs of both the industry and the public".

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