Online scams and gambling main target of social media takedowns, says minister

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Malaysia's deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching has reportedly stated that online gambling and scams made up majority of harmful content that was taken down on social media. In parliament earlier this week, Teo reportedly said that online gambling made up 63% of the posts taken down, while scams accounted for an estimated 21% of cases.

According to The Star, Teo was responding to Wan Saiful Wan Jan, member of parliament (MP) for Tasek Gelugor, who raised concerns that Malaysia's social media license would be abused by Putrajaya against protestors ahead of elections. Wan Saiful also highlighted the number of social media accounts that have been taken down by authorities recently.

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In responses, Teo said the cases mentioned by the MP were TikTok's removal of social media posts due to offenses related to artificial intelligence, which were not requested by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

In addition, Teo reportedly noted the importance of monitoring social media providers in order to establish a safe online space. She said that there have been several fake accounts impersonating top leaders, with scammer still issuing Meta advertisements for profit.

With regards to this, Teo reportedly said that the ministry will be implementing a new platform for users to file an appeal if their social media posts are removed under the Online Safety Bill 2024, or the proposed Online Safety Act.

Moreover, Teo said that up until 25 February, three companies that operate WeChat, TikTok and Telegram have received the "Applications service providers class license" (CASP). She reportedly added that Meta is in the process of applying for the CASP, and the ministry has issued a notice that allows them to operate during the application process.

X and Google, which operated Youtube, are reportedly yet to submit their applications to MCMC, as X is arguing that they do not have eight million Malaysians on their platform. MCMC are conducting its own survey to confirm the numbers to refute this claim.

A+M has reached out to MCMC for more information.

The social media license mandates that all social media and messaging services with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for a license. The license is aimed to facilitate revenue-sharing with local content producers and to end harmful and illegal content online.

In a media statement by the MCMC released in August 2024, it emphasised that the licensing requirement was decided based on the need to regulate service providers with significant impact on the Malaysian digital ecosystem.

"This regulatory framework was introduced as a key step towards a safer online environment, including addressing online gambling, scams and pornography," said the MCMC.

It added that it has "consistently engaged with a broad spectrum of stakeholders" and will be "undertaking a public inquiring exercise to solicit feedback from all relevant parties to ensure that the final framework is fair, effective and reflective of the needs of both the industry and the public", at the time.

Failure to obtain a class license under the communications and multimedia act 1998 after the effective date would be considered an offence.

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