PUTRAJAYA: Major tech companies such as Google and X have not yet sought the new class license required under Malaysia’s updated regulatory framework, which came into effect on January 1.
The new licensing system, announced in July last year, is designed to protect the public from online harm. Social media platforms and messaging services with over eight million registered users in Malaysia must adhere to the new regulations.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) noted that Google, which operates YouTube, raised concerns about the classification of its video-sharing features within the new framework.
“MCMC has reviewed these concerns thoroughly and will ensure that YouTube, along with all other platforms that meet the criteria, will comply with the licensing requirements,” the commission said in a statement.
Meanwhile, X stated that its Malaysian user base has not reached the eight million threshold and is being assessed by MCMC. The commission will continue discussions with X to clarify the platform’s status.
In contrast, several other major platforms have either already obtained or are in the final stages of securing their licenses. Tencent’s WeChat was the first platform to be granted the Application Service Provider Class license, followed by ByteDance’s TikTok.
Telegram is nearing the completion of its licensing process, while Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has already started the application process and is expected to finish soon.
MCMC has emphasized that it will monitor platforms that fail to obtain the necessary licenses, and non-compliant providers may face penalties under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. These include fines of up to RM500,000 (US$111,600), imprisonment for up to five years, and daily fines of RM1,000 for continued non-compliance.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil assured that Malaysia has no intention of blocking or banning social media platforms, highlighting their importance to the country’s growing digital market.
This new regulatory framework follows the tragic death of Rajeswary Appahu, a popular social media influencer known as Esha, who was found dead after reporting harassment in a TikTok live session. This incident led the government to reconsider its relationship with online platforms, particularly in relation to cyberbullying.
According to World Population Review, WeChat has 12 million users in Malaysia, while data from Kepios shows that in early 2024, YouTube had 24.1 million users, TikTok had 28.68 million users aged 18 and above, Facebook had 22.35 million, and X had 5.71 million users.
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