KUALA LUMPUR: Cybersecurity regulators say scammers are using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit content and deceptive advertisements to dupe victims.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said they have even impersonated the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) on Facebook.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has identified 274 advertisements on Facebook impersonating the AGC in the last 13 days.
"This is a critical issue because these scammers are paying Meta to dupe Malaysians.
"Therefore, it is imperative to hold platforms like these accountable. They must not be allowed to profit from scammers," she told S. Kesavan (PH-Sungai Siput) during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Dec 4).
Kesavan had asked the ministry to state the enforcement action taken to curb the increase in sexually explicit content on social media targeted at youth.
Teo noted that advancements in AI had led to a significant increase in the generation of explicit content.
"I would like to share that the number of explicit content removed through MCMC's efforts has risen significantly, from 186 cases in 2022 to 1,125 cases as of Dec 1 this year.
"The number of cases involving exploitative content targeting children has also surged, from 34 cases in 2022 to 800 cases this year," she said.
In response, the government has proposed several amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 which stipulate that anyone found distributing explicit communications for commercial purposes faces imprisonment of up to five years, a fine not exceeding RM1mil, or both, if convicted.
"I hope all Yang Berhormat (MPs) will support this amendment," she said.
