Malaysian Authorities Request Removal of 249,268 Pieces of Content from Facebook
Efforts to Combat Online Scams and Gambling
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has requested Facebook to remove a total of 249,268 pieces of content this year, with a staggering 91.6% linked to online gambling and scams.
Breakdown of the Requests
According to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, 172,072 of these items were related to online gambling, while 56,136 involved scams.
MCMC’s Limited Authority
MCMC does not have the authority to direct social media platforms to remove content. Instead, they can only request that the content be taken down, and it is up to the platform to decide.
Financial Losses to Scams
Fahmi revealed that Malaysians lost RM432 million to scams on Facebook last year. He also mentioned that Facebook earned RM2.5 billion in revenue from Malaysia, largely from advertisements, including those related to online investment scams.
Complaint Process
Responding to a remark by Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, Fahmi clarified that anyone could file a complaint with MCMC, and the commission would then forward the complaint to the relevant social media platform. He emphasized that if a piece of content is removed, the platform acknowledges that it violates the community standards.
Example of Successful Removal
Fahmi cited an example of a false claim that 1.2 million Chinese nationals had obtained Malaysian citizenship, which was deemed slanderous and was removed from Facebook.
New Initiative to Combat Fake News
Fahmi announced that a WhatsApp chatbot service to combat the spread of fake news would be launched in January. This service will enable all WhatsApp users to forward messages they suspect to be false or contain questionable elements for verification, through artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Conclusion
The Malaysian government is taking steps to combat online scams and gambling, and it is essential for social media platforms to cooperate with these efforts. By removing content that violates community standards, we can create a safer online environment for users.
FAQs
Q: What is the breakdown of the requested content removals?
A: 172,072 items were related to online gambling, while 56,136 involved scams.
Q: What is the financial loss to scams on Facebook?
A: Malaysians lost RM432 million to scams on Facebook last year.
Q: How does the MCMC handle complaints about online content?
A: Anyone can file a complaint with MCMC, and the commission will then forward the complaint to the relevant social media platform.
Q: What is the new initiative to combat fake news on WhatsApp?
A: A WhatsApp chatbot service will be launched in January, enabling users to forward messages for verification through AI technology.