Since 2023, the Ministry of Communications ("Ministry") and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission ("MCMC") have been collaborating to introduce new licensing requirements for social media platforms to enhance online safety and address the publication harmful content on these platforms.
The Ministry recently updated that the proposed licensing framework will apply to social media platforms and internet messaging services, but will not be a blanket licensing requirement. Instead, the licensing requirement will only target larger platforms or services that meet a certain threshold (e.g. platforms or services with certain number of users) in Malaysia.
Additionally, the Ministry and MCMC are finetuning further details on the implementation of the proposed licensing framework. While there is no indicative timeline for when the framework will be finalised and introduced, it is being treated as a priority and the Ministry and MCMC hope to introduce these new licensing requirements sometime this year.
Social media platforms and internet messaging services providers are advised to stay informed about developments regarding the upcoming licensing framework.
