WhatsApp most used social media tool by M’sians last year, says Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR: YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook were the most used social media platforms by Malaysians over the past three years, says Fahmi Fadzil.

"For the three year period between 2020 and 2022, the most used platforms were used by Malaysians interchangeably.

"Among them with the highest yearly standing were YouTube, WhatsApp and Facebook," the Communications and Digital Minister said in written reply to a question raised by Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (March 29).

He said that YouTube held the top spot out of 10 platforms in 2020 and 2021 and was overtaken by WhatsApp last year.

ALSO READ : Social media app security regulation being studied to protect govt secrets, says Fahmi

In 2022, WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram were the most used social media platforms.

Under the list, Telegram was fourth highest used platform last year followed by FB messenger and TikTok.

Also widely used by Malaysians were Twitter, which was seventh on the 2022 list, followed by WeChat, Pinterest and LinkedIn.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said that his ministry and the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) through the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum (CMCF) had drawn a content code.

He said the code is based on the best practices and ethics for content creation and management, which is primarily used by industry players as a reference.

ALSO READ : Fahmi to address social media misinformation

This code is also referred to by content creators, advertisers including social media influencers and consumers.

He said that the CMCF jurisdiction and enforcement of the code does not cover foreign service providers such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and others.

"This does not mean that social media operates without any legal supervision.

"Matters which infringe on the law as anything illegal offline is illegal online," he said.

He said social media content is still covered under the respective laws of the country.

Fahmi added that pornographic, false or disgusting materials are prohibited under the Communications and Multimedia Act.