Social media platforms themselves remove content, not just on govt's request, says Teo

KUALA LUMPUR: Social media platforms remove content on their own volition, not just on request of the government through the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), says Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.

"Content removal carried out by platform providers is subject to their own considerations and evaluations based on abuse reports from platform users and requests from authorities.

"It is true that the Government Takedown Request Report states that TikTok has received 1,862 requests from the Malaysian government, but this report also shows that 6,231 applications were received for content removal.

"This means that not all requests to take down content are made by MCMC or the Malaysian Government," said Teo during her winding-up speech of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) 2021/2022 annual report at the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 2), Bernama reported.

Teo also said social media platform providers play a crucial role in monitoring content to ensure it does not violate local laws as well as the terms and conditions as well as community standards set.

She said that the public should contact the relevant social media platform if their content was removed to understand the justification for removal.

On Monday (July 1), Syed Saddiq claimed the government had requested the removal of TikTok videos posted by former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin discussing the privatisation of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and American firm BlackRock, which allegedly has ties with Israel.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil later denied that neither his ministry nor the MCMC had anything to do with the removal of the videos.