Social media platforms have been given time to fully implement the Child Protection Code (CPC) and Risk Mitigation Code (RMC) before enforcement action is taken against those that fail to comply with the requirements.
KUALA LUMPUR: Social media platforms have been given time to fully implement the Child Protection Code (CPC) and Risk Mitigation Code (RMC) before enforcement action is taken against those that fail to comply with the requirements.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the period was given to allow platform operators to fully understand the requirements of both codes and make the necessary adjustments to their respective systems.
“Previously, they had asked for some time. Firstly, to fully understand the codes in question and, secondly, to operationalise them.
“So, we are giving them some time, perhaps several months, to implement them.
“Once both codes are fully implemented, platforms that fail to comply may face legal action and very substantial fines,” he said at a press conference after attending the Safe Internet Parent-Teacher Association Convention here today.
He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) was currently in Singapore for discussions with several platform operators, including YouTube, on the adoption and implementation of the CPC and RMC.
Meanwhile, Fahmi also raised concerns over social media platforms’ reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) for content moderation, particularly when handling content in certain languages.
He said AI might not have the capability to fully understand the nuances of a particular language, potentially allowing criminal or cyberbullying content to evade moderation.
“Language issues cannot be left entirely to AI. It is not capable of fully understanding the nuances of certain phrases, particularly those used to target or bully others.
“Unfortunately, TikTok has taken the approach of reducing the number of human moderators and is now placing greater emphasis on the use of AI,” he said.
Fahmi said the CPC and RMC were introduced to ensure social media systems and platforms did not become avenues for online criminal activities that could harm users.
He said crimes covered under the implementation of the two codes included scams, online gambling, cyberbullying and other offences committed through social media platforms.
