MCMC vs. Tech Giants: The Clash Over Social Media Licences
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has fiercely denied allegations made by the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), a group representing major tech giants like Google, Meta, and X.
These companies recently published an open letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, urging a pause on Malaysia’s proposed social media licensing framework, claiming it lacked clarity.
The MCMC has responded, asserting that the regulatory move is in line with global practices and is vital for safeguarding users in Malaysia’s digital space.
Licensing vs. Community Guidelines: The Battle for Digital Safety
MCMC argues that the proposed licensing framework is not fundamentally different from the community guidelines that these tech companies already impose on their users.
If online service providers (OSPs) can enforce community standards as a reasonable safety measure, MCMC believes a government-regulated framework grounded in safety, security, transparency, and accountability should be equally accepted.
The commission emphasised that OSPs operating in Malaysia must comply with local laws to ensure a secure digital environment for all users.
Rising Threats: The Case for Stricter Regulations
The internet regulator highlighted the alarming increase in harmful online content, pointing to statistics that show a significant rise in harassment-related removals and online fraud cases.
Harassment-related removals soared from 290 cases in 2022 to 6,353 cases by July 2024, while fraud cases skyrocketed from 245 in 2022 to a staggering 32,955 by the same period in 2024.
MCMC argues that these figures underline the urgent need for a robust licensing regime to hold OSPs accountable and protect the public from the growing digital threats.
Engagement and Compliance: MCMC’s Call for Cooperation
Despite AIC’s claims, MCMC strongly refutes the accusation of a lack of public consultations, labelling it as factually incorrect and baseless.
The commission insists it has taken all reasonable steps to engage and assist OSPs in understanding and complying with the new regulations ahead of the January 1, 2025 enforcement date.
MCMC also noted that discussions with representatives from major tech companies, including Meta, X, Google, and others, have taken place to ensure a smooth transition to the new regulatory environment.
As the deadline approaches, the tension between MCMC and global tech giants highlights the complex challenge of balancing regulatory oversight with digital innovation.
Malaysia’s move could set a precedent in the region, marking a critical juncture in the ongoing debate over the regulation of online spaces.
