Special task force to be formed to address social media regulation, says Fahmi

A special task force will be established to discuss aspects of social media regulation and enforcement, communications minister Fahmi Fadzil reportedly said. 

The task force would reportedly include the communications ministry, the home ministry, the legal affairs division of the prime minister's department, and the attorney-general's chambers. 

The minister added that the decision comes after a meeting with home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and the Malaysian communications and multimedia commission (MCMC) chairman Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, reported The Star. 

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The task force will be reportedly established to understand the issues faced by deputy public prosecutors. This is especially since the police require the MCMC's technical assistance for data preservation and profiling, Fahmi reportedly said. 

Fahmi reportedly explained that the issue of deepfake investigations is relatively new and may require cooperation to understand the evidence, gather sufficient data and bring it all to court. 

The minister reportedly added that addressing prosecution aspects is crucial to avoid issues such as the recent case where a fine of RM100 was issued to an offender for bullying a TikToker in Malaysia.

The TikToker, known as Esha, had taken her own life a day after lodging a report about the cyberbullying that she was facing. 

According to Fahmi, the MCMC is reportedly working to ensure that the licensing process for social media platforms is being implemented smoothly by 1 January 2025. 

He reportedly added that those involved in cyberbullying often use fake accounts, of which the MCMC aims to reduce or eliminate in the future. 

The minister reportedly said that representatives from X, Meta ,TikTok and WeChat have expressed their willingness to be licensed, adding that the MCMC will meet with all stakeholders to develop a code of conduct and standards for social media platforms. 

Through licensing, the minister hopes that social media platforms will have a duty of care and be more responsible in taking action against cyberbullying, extremist content and illegal activities such as drug trafficking and online gambling, reported The Star. 

Interestingly, TikTok last week pushed back against the Malaysian government's plans to tighten laws surrounding social media.

Speaking at a panel discussion on regulating social media, TikTok Malaysia's head of public policy Anuar Fariz Fadzil urged the government against taking a top-down approach to moderating content on social media, according to the South China Morning Post.

He reportedly said that the approach could "easily impinge on the rights of users to freedom of speech and expression", adding that self-regulating is critical and if there is a licensing regime or framework, TikTok will embrace it. 

However, it has to be a very collaborative effort, Anuar reportedly said while speaking at a panel at the Praxis 2024 public policy conference. 

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