KUALA LUMPUR: Licensed social media platforms are required to submit their online safety plans to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) by Dec 28, outlining measures to strengthen user protection and improve safety across their platforms.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said the plans formed part of the platforms’ obligations under the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866), with full implementation of age verification requirements expected by early January 2027, following the end of the current transition period.
Responding to a supplementary question from Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang) in the Dewan Rakyat today, Teo said platforms would only submit data on the number of accounts that had been verified and the number belonging to users below 16 that had been blocked after the transition period ended.
Wong had asked how the ministry could monitor the effectiveness of age verification measures when it had yet to receive figures on the number of existing accounts verified or accounts belonging to users below 16 that had been blocked.
She also sought clarification on the standards used to assess platforms’ compliance and the action that would be taken against those that failed to implement the requirements.
Teo said the government was still within the transition period and expected platforms to fulfil their obligations by early January next year.
She said MCMC had issued directions under Section 30 of Act 866 to social media providers Meta, TikTok and Google to ensure the implementation of user age verification mechanisms.
“The commission had also issued notices under Section 32 to obtain information from the platforms on their implementation progress for monitoring and assessment purposes,” she said.
Teo said MCMC would continue monitoring and engaging with social media providers throughout the transition period to ensure the mechanisms were implemented effectively.
She added that the commission was also working with relevant ministries and agencies to strengthen child protection in the digital environment, while studying approaches adopted by other countries.
Teo warned that failure to comply with the requirements could result in regulatory action under Act 866.
“Under Section 30, service providers found guilty of failing to comply could face a fine of up to RM1 million, with an additional fine of up to RM100,000 for every day the offence continued after conviction.
“MCMC could also issue a non-compliance notice under Section 37 and impose financial penalties of up to RM10 million under Section 39 for breaches of obligations under Part 3 of the Act,” she said.
