Ministry of Communications Receives Good Cooperation from Internet Messaging and Social Media Service Providers
The Ministry of Communications has been receiving good cooperation from internet messaging and social media service providers, whether licensed or still in the process, in its effort to ensure a safer and more sustainable internet ecosystem for users, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
YouTube’s Efforts
Minister Fahmi Fadzil said YouTube, for example, has taken down 5,115 pieces of content, including gambling advertisements, out of 5,167 pieces of content requested to be taken down between Jan 1 and Feb 12.
"This shows that although Google is currently not licensed, we can see very good cooperation being given in contrast to Telegram, where overall only 39 per cent of the requests were handled," he said.
Telegram’s Challenges
"Here, we see that the platforms have different capabilities. I understand that the number of teams doing content moderation for Telegram is relatively small compared to other platforms," Fahmi added.
Regulatory Framework and Operational Context
"We not only view the regulatory framework as important but also understand the operational context for these platforms and help them streamline and simplify the actions that need to be taken," he said during Question Time.
Mandatory Licensing for Social Media and Internet Messaging Service Providers
Meanwhile, Fahmi said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has made it mandatory for social media and internet messaging service providers with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia to apply for an Application Service Provision Class Licence starting Jan 1, 2025.
Objectives of Mandatory Licensing
The move aims to ensure that every registered internet messaging and social media service provider complies with its obligations under Act 588 and practices the Code of Conduct (Best Practices) published by MCMC, thereby increasing accountability for online content and interactions provided to users.
Efforts to Combat Online Gambling
In addition, Fahmi said 5,026 gambling websites were blocked with the cooperation of Internet service providers from 2022 to Feb 1 this year, while 224,403 gambling content on social media platforms was taken down during the same period.
Proactive Monitoring and Cooperation with Police
MCMC is also carrying out proactive monitoring to ensure that the internet environment in the country is free from illegal online content, including online gambling. MCMC is also committed to providing cooperation to the police in terms of taking down social media content and blocking websites, as well as providing technical assistance, information and digital forensic analysis to speed up the investigation process related to online gambling offences, he added.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Communications and MCMC are working together to ensure a safer and more sustainable internet ecosystem for users, and their efforts are yielding positive results. The mandatory licensing of social media and internet messaging service providers will further ensure that online content and interactions are more accountable and responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the mandatory licensing of social media and internet messaging service providers?
A: The move aims to ensure that every registered internet messaging and social media service provider complies with its obligations under Act 588 and practices the Code of Conduct (Best Practices) published by MCMC, thereby increasing accountability for online content and interactions provided to users.
Q: What are the objectives of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)?
A: MCMC aims to ensure that the internet environment in the country is free from illegal online content, including online gambling, and to provide cooperation to the police in terms of taking down social media content and blocking websites, as well as providing technical assistance, information and digital forensic analysis to speed up the investigation process related to online gambling offences.
Q: What is the current cooperation rate between MCMC and internet messaging and social media service providers?
A: MCMC has received good cooperation from internet messaging and social media service providers, with YouTube, for example, taking down 5,115 pieces of content out of 5,167 pieces of content requested to be taken down. Telegram, on the other hand, has a lower cooperation rate, with only 39 per cent of requests handled.