The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia ("Content Forum") has published Guidelines for Online Curated Content Service Providers ("OCC Guidelines") to align content standards among content service providers whose content are available in Malaysia.
The OCC Guidelines set out best practices on content standards within online curated content ("OCC") services. OCC services are defined as the provision of curated digital content directly to paying subscribers via an Internet connection to the subscriber's device. Examples of OCC services include video streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+Hotstar and Apple TV.
However, the OCC Guidelines do not apply to services offering user-generated content (e.g. social media platforms such as Meta, YouTube and TikTok), and intermediary services that provide access to a repertoire of OCC service providers (e.g. content aggregators such as Google News, or streaming aggregator services such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV).
The best practices outlined by the OCC Guidelines cover several key areas:
- Ratings and content classification guidelines applicable to the content provided by OCC services;
- Safety features to be integrated into OCC services to facilitate consumer feedback, enable consumers to choose their own content, and enhance content protection for minors;
- Guidance on the promotion and advertising of content provided by OCC services; and
- General principles and standards on content standards within OCC services.
While the OCC Guidelines do not create legally enforceable obligations on OCC service providers to comply, the Content Forum may advise OCC service providers to remove content that conflicts with the best practice principles and guidance outlined in the OCC Guidelines.
