Kuala Lumpur: Starting January 1, 2025, social media and internet media services who meet certain criteria must be licensed.
In a statement, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said the new directive is due to the Malaysian Cabinet decision that sites such as Facebook and messaging apps (WeChat, WhatsApp) must comply with Malaysian laws “to combat the rise in cybercrime offences including scams and online fraud, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes against children.”
Such services with at least eight million users must apply for a Class Licence for Application Service Providers under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) from August 1.
Failure to comply will be deemed an offence under Act 588.
SPONSORED CONTENT Shell awards Sabah LiveWIRE winners Kota Kinabalu: Shell has awarded five enterprises as the state winners of Shell LiveWIRE Malaysia 2024, following the Sabah state finals held at Plaza Shell in Kota Kinabalu. . Read more MCMC also said the new framework will only apply to services and not their users, who may continue to use the services as usual.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.