TikTok must comply with MY laws for content moderation, says Fahmi Fadzil

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Malaysia’s communication minister Fahmi Fadzil has called on TikTok to comply with local laws regarding content moderation on its platform, after the social media platform blocked 23 accounts belonging to media outlets in the country. Fahmi expressed concern that TikTok is turning a blind eye towards online scams and gambling content, all while expecting local users to comply with their guidelines, reported the New Straits Times.

He added that the action taken by TikTok against the media outlets’ accounts was too harsh, as it stemmed from a misunderstanding by the content moderation AI.

Don’t miss: MY govt in talks with TikTok to restore accounts of 18 AI-blocked media outlets, says Fahmi

Previously, it had been reported that TikTok banned the media outlet’s accounts as it violated its community guidelines, which did not permit child sexual abuse material including screenshots or clips from the original material. This was in relation to the news outlets’ coverage of an alleged sexual assault of a young girl at a mosque in Selangor last Friday (21 Feb). According to Fahmi as reported by NST, the accounts were initially restored but were taken down again later.

The communications minister wanted to emphasise to TikTok, that AI moderation should instead take actions which are aligned to Malaysian laws. He also warned that the government has the authority to take certain actions against TikTok if necessary, as the company holds a social media license to operate in Malaysia.

However, TikTok will first be called up for a meeting between the chief editors of the affected local media companies on Monday (3 March), followed by a meeting with the communications ministry.

Fahmi said this is in line with official procedures, and the ministry will listen to TikTok’s views before issuing any directives and take follow-up actions.