Malaysia introduces licencing requirement for social media to tackle cyber offences

Cyber safety mandate: Starting August 1, social media platforms with over 8 million users in Malaysia must apply for a regulatory licence, as part of a government initiative to combat rising cyber offences.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission announced on Saturday that this new requirement aligns with the cabinet's decision to ensure social media and internet messaging services adhere to Malaysian laws aimed at curbing scams, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes.

Platforms failing to obtain a licence by January 1, 2025, will face legal consequences, the commission warned.

Enhanced platform monitoring

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil stated last week that directives had been issued to social media companies to address the government's concerns about cybercrime and harmful content on their platforms.

Earlier this year, Malaysia reported a significant increase in harmful social media content and urged companies, including Facebook's parent company Meta and short video platform TikTok, to enhance their monitoring efforts.

Currently, the communications regulator can only flag content that violates local laws, leaving the decision to remove such content up to the platforms themselves.

(With Reuters Inputs)