Malaysia is not immune to these issues, with the country experiencing over 34,000 reported online scam cases in 2023, resulting in losses exceeding RM54 billion between January and October alone.
With senior citizens and children repeatedly targeted, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is determined to make the internet a safer space for all Malaysians.
However, that has resulted in various MCMC proposals coming under scrutiny.
A recent requirement that social media platforms be licensed has seen civil society groups question whether the agency’s actions impinge on the freedom of expression and the right to privacy.
So what exactly is MCMC’s role in regulating social media? FMT takes a closer look.
Powerless watchdog or necessary authority?
Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil explained that MCMC does not actually take down content. It merely facilitates discussions between law enforcement and social media platforms, many of which do not have local offices.
“The people at MCMC are the middle people, those who connect the two sides, as we have laws that enable us to regulate this space,” he told FMT.
Fahmi said MCMC cannot compel platforms like Facebook, TikTok or X (formerly Twitter) to remove posts.
Instead, the commission can only advise them and their owners based on public complaints or government directives. Whether or not action is taken on an offending post depends on the platform’s internal policies.
Fahmi also said MCMC is not in a position to police all content published on social media, given its sheer volume.
“There is so much content being put out that it is near impossible for us to manually or even programmatically track all of it,” he said.
A prime example is illegal online gambling advertisements, which MCMC spends significant man-hours flagging. However, some platforms have been slow to act.
“Which is why we’re engaging them to be licensed. We want them to understand our regulatory framework,” he said.
A push for more legal power
In a bid to tighten its grip on social media oversight, MCMC has introduced a requirement for all platforms with over eight million Malaysian users to obtain an Applications Service Provider Class Licence (ASP(C)) under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
The policy, which took effect on Jan 1, 2025, aims to ensure compliance with Malaysian laws.
Fahmi stressed that this move is not about censorship, but about ensuring that companies operating in Malaysia play by the rules.
“We want (social media companies) to respect our laws. They can make money from Malaysia, but they cannot allow criminals to operate so freely here.
“It’s a balance between freedom of expression and freedom from fear. You don’t want to go online and be fearful about who you are talking to,” he said.
The minister’s words echo growing concerns globally over online identity verification, as many regulators worldwide grapple with how to verify the identity of users while preserving their right to privacy.
“If you’re brave enough to say something or put out an advertisement, and if it violates the law, then you need to be brave enough to face the courts,” said Fahmi.
Free speech and online safety: a balancing act
Beyond regulation, MCMC is also focused on making the internet safer, particularly for children and families.
The government recently launched a nationwide online safety campaign at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan aiming to reach 10,000 institutions of education across the country.
While countries such as Australia have considered banning social media access for minors, Malaysia is taking a different approach, emphasising education, parental controls and platform accountability instead.
Fahmi said social media algorithms can significantly impact children’s behaviour and thought patterns, making it crucial to promote better content moderation rather than outright bans.