Malaysia’s new social media law, designed to combat cybercrime and enhance online safety, has begun to take effect.
Tencent’s WeChat and ByteDance’s TikTok are among the first to secure the necessary operating licences required for platforms with more than 8 million users in the country.
This new law, which came into effect on 1 January 2025, mandates social media and messaging services to apply for a licence or face potential legal action.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) confirmed that Telegram is nearing the final stages of obtaining its licence, while Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has already begun its licensing process.
These steps demonstrate proactive compliance by some of the largest social media providers in the world.
MCMC has applauded these efforts, emphasising the importance of creating a safer online environment for Malaysians.
However, X (previously known as Twitter), owned by Elon Musk’s company, has not yet submitted a licence application.
The platform claims that its user base in Malaysia does not exceed the 8 million threshold required by the law.
The MCMC is currently reviewing this claim to determine its validity.
The regulatory body stated that it would continue to engage with X and assess its position, leaving the door open for potential future action if the claim is deemed inaccurate.
Another major player, Alphabet’s Google, has also refrained from applying for a licence.
The company operates YouTube, which boasts approximately 24.1 million users in Malaysia.
Google has raised concerns about how YouTube’s video-sharing features align with the new law.
Although these concerns were not detailed by the MCMC, it was stated that YouTube must comply with the new requirements.
The MCMC has made it clear that social media and messaging platforms failing to adhere to licensing regulations could face investigation and other regulatory actions.
The government’s intention is to reduce harmful content online, including cyberbullying, child exploitation, online gambling, and racial, religious, and royal hate speech.
In light of rising harmful social media content in early 2024, authorities are pressing platforms to improve their content moderation processes.
WeChat, with 12 million users in Malaysia, was the first platform to obtain the Application Service Provider Class (ASP(C)) licence, setting the pace for other major companies to follow suit.
TikTok, which is estimated to have 28.68 million users aged 18 and above, has also secured its licence.
However, some companies, including Meta, are still navigating the licensing process.
MCMC has been actively working to ensure these platforms comply with the new law.
With the rise in harmful online content, Malaysia’s approach to stricter social media regulations is an attempt to create a safer digital space for its citizens, especially vulnerable groups like children.
The new law is expected to play a significant role in strengthening online safety, even as companies continue to adapt to the evolving legal landscape.
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