Malaysia's Digital Regulation Milestone Revs Up As Telegram Secures Operating Licence

By The Malketeer

Social Media Giants Race to Comply with New Requirements

In a significant development for Malaysia’s digital landscape, Telegram has become the third major social media platform to receive an operating licence in the country, following Tencent’s WeChat and ByteDance’s TikTok.

The approval, granted by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on January 2, marks a crucial step in the nation’s efforts to regulate digital platforms.

Meta’s Licence Pending as Google Faces Pressure

While Telegram joins the ranks of licenced operators, Meta – the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp – is in the final stages of documentation for its license approval.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has indicated that Meta’s license issuance is imminent.

Meanwhile, Google faces mounting pressure to submit its application, particularly concerning YouTube’s operation in the country.

Regulatory Framework Takes Shape

The licensing requirement, introduced in June 2024, targets platforms with over eight million Malaysian users.

This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to combat financial scams, cyberbullying, and online sexual crimes.

The January 1, 2025 deadline has already passed, with notable platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Google yet to submit their applications.

Enforcement and Compliance

MCMC’s stance on enforcement remains firm, with the commission warning of potential legal action against non-compliant platforms.

This regulatory framework represents Malaysia’s proactive approach to digital governance, balancing platform accessibility with user protection and national security interests.

For marketers and digital strategists, this development signals a new era of social media operation in Malaysia, necessitating closer attention to compliance and regulatory requirements in campaign planning and execution.