Malaysia Mandates Licensing for Major Social Media Platforms to Combat Cybercrime

Starting August 1, Malaysia will require social media services with over 8 million users in the country to obtain a license, as part of efforts to address rising cyber offenses, Reuters reported yesterday.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission announced this decision on Saturday, aligning with the cabinet’s directive for social media and messaging platforms to adhere to local laws aimed at combating scams, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes, the source mentioned.

It added that failure to apply for a license by January 1, 2025, will result in legal action against non-compliant services. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has emphasized that social media companies must respond to the government’s concerns regarding cybercrime and harmful content prevalent on their platforms.

Earlier this year, Malaysia experienced a significant uptick in harmful social media content, prompting authorities to call on companies like Meta, the parent company of Facebook, and TikTok to enhance their monitoring efforts.

Currently, while the communications regulator can identify content that violates local laws, it is ultimately up to the platforms to decide whether to remove such content. This new licensing requirement aims to strengthen accountability among major social media services operating in Malaysia.