Social media platforms responded positively to new regulatory framework, says Fahmi Fadzil

Social media platforms have responded positively to the need for licensing under the new regulatory framework that will be implemented next year, said communications minister Fahmi Fadzil. 

The minister, who has been in Singapore for a three-day work trip, said the various platforms he met have acknowledged the need to comply with Malaysian law and are willing to participate in the process, according to Bernama. 

In Singapore, the minister reportedly met with officials from Meta, Google, TikTok and Tencent to update them on the new regulatory framework as well as discuss online security and potential collaborations to combat illegal activities online. 

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Meanwhile, in an interview with CNA, the minister said platforms run by Meta - Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp - boast high compliance rates in Malaysia, ranging from 79% to 88%. 

He added that TikTok's compliance rate dropped to 76%, Telegram at 65% and X, formerly known as Twitter, performing the lowest with 25%. 

The minister emphasised that an estimated 76% of take down requests have been largely due to scams and online gambling, which is illegal in Malaysia. He added that the bulk of the takedown requests (87%) were on Facebook. 

Concerning freedom of speech, the minister said that Malaysia does not plan on blocking any social media platforms, adding that the new regulations are to keep families and children safe. 

He added that the regulations were also created due to a cyberbullying case that led to a suicide earlier in the month. 

During his trip, the minister also met with Josephine Teo, Singapore's minister of information and digital development to discuss the challenges and regulatory process of Singapore's social media that has been implemented for the past two years. 

This comes after the Malaysian communications and multimedia commission (MCMC) revealed that all social media services and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for a class license beginning 1 August. 

According to the MCMC, failure to obtain a class licence under the communications and multimedia act 1998 after the effective date would be considered an offence. It will come into effect on 1 January 2025. 

In a statement, the MCMC said that this is in line with the Cabinet's decision and is to combat the rise in cybercrime offences including scams and online fraud, cyberbullying and sexual crimes against children. 

Photo courtesy of Fahmi Fadzil/X

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