TikTok pushes back against MY govt's social media licensing plans

TikTok has 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. 

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

Anuar reportedly added that there is a "critical need" to differentiate between propaganda, misinformation and disinformation and how there are grey areas that may breach freedom of expression, as well as freedom of speech. 

A+M has reached out to TikTok Malaysia for more information.  

This comes after the Malaysian government launched a class license under the communications and multimedia act 1998 which requires all social media services and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users to apply beginning 1 August. 

Social media providers without a valid licence by 1 January may face fines or jail. They may also be fined RM1,000 for each day or part of a day, as long as the offence continues. 

According to communications minister Fahmi Fadzil, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will hold engagement sessions with all stakeholders, including social media platforms and internet messaging systems, to identify codes of conduct and what might happen if certain actions and directives are ignored by licensees, reported The Star on 1 August. 

The minister reportedly added that the purpose of licensing was aimed at addressing three core issues, namely scams, cyberbullying and sexual crimes against children, and is not aimed at restricting freedom of speech. 

During his visit to Singapore, Fahmi reportedly said that social media platforms he spoke to, including Meta, Google, TikTok and Tencent had responded positively to the new framework. 

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