Malaysia considers licensing AI apps as authorities step up action against child sexual abuse material online
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is exploring the possibility of licensing artificial intelligence (AI) applications to curb the online creation and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said.
Currently, offences related to AI fall under the misuse of network services, covering the abuse of network facilities to transmit grossly offensive content.
While the Digital Ministry is responsible for drafting AI regulations, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is expected to oversee any licensing framework.
“We are studying whether there is a need, based on findings or recommendations from enforcement bodies, for AI applications to be licensed and we will review to take appropriate action.
“At this time, there is no specific act yet, so we have to wait for that part,” Fahmi told reporters after officiating the Internet Safety Day 2026 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa yesterday.
He clarified that authorities already have the power to act against individuals using networks to transmit grossly offensive content, but the government has not yet applied that power to AI-generated material.
On CSAM enforcement, Fahmi said recent legal amendments now allow authorities to arrest offenders.
“Regarding child sexual abuse material, any misuse of the network to transmit content that violates the law, including CSAM, (can lead) to perpetrators being arrested.
“It is a seizable offence. We have amended the law so those involved in CSAM or paedophile activity can now be caught.”
Previously, enforcement was limited under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, but the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (D11) is now applying the amended provisions.
Fahmi said under Op Pedo 2.0, 31 individuals were detained nationwide and 880,000 pieces of child sexual exploitation material were seized – roughly 20 times more than under Op Pedo 1.0 as of September last year.
Addressing concerns over children’s social media use, Fahmi said new accounts opened directly by minors would face restrictions, while accounts managed by parents, including for young influencers or content creators, are acceptable.
“But if parents create the account for their children, then the supervision and control of the account is with the parents,” he said.
He urged parents to remain vigilant, particularly in safeguarding personal data.
“The only reminder for parents is to ensure that data, especially home addresses and areas considered private, must always be protected. AI, for example, can be misused to edit images or videos of children for inappropriate purposes,” Fahmi said.
Parents managing their children’s accounts must exercise constant caution.
“It is not a problem if parents manage it, but they must always be vigilant. Use the internet safely. Take what is good, discard what is harmful.”
