Nearly 2,000 porn posts and ads removed by MCMC since 2022, says Fahmi

Some 1,993 pornographic social media posts and advertisements were reportedly removed in Malaysia from 2022 until February this year, said communications minister Fahmi Fadzil. 
 
According to a report by The Star, Fahmi also said that in the same period, 3,670 websites were blocked for inappropriate content.  

The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission, which regulates the communications and multimedia industry, had removed the content based on the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. 

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Responding to questions in Parliament, the minister also explained that the MCMC has a specific group tasked with monitoring and acting on inappropriate content online.  

Bernama reported Fahmi saying that the team also keeps track of complaints from the public and carries out enforcement actions based on the information received.  

He added that once the Online Safety Act is in force, the government will emphasize the need for social media platform providers to prevent prohibited advertisements and materials from being broadcast. 

The Online Safety Bill was passed in Malaysian parliament on 16 December 2024 and is expected to come into force at a later date, complementing the Communications and Multimedia Act.  

The bill applies to social media services and messaging apps, as well as content applications like video streaming apps, and network services. However, it does not apply to private messaging.  

Fahmi also said that the MCMC has made it compulsory for every social media and online messaging platform with at least eight million users to apply for a license from January this year. 

He also reiterated to Parliament the importance of working together with social media platforms and cautioned the public against spreading misinformation.  

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