PETALING JAYA: Service providers and social platforms must do more to curb the never-ending issue of scams and fake content, experts say.
Universiti Sains Malaysia criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said that platforms such as TikTok need to be more accountable and proactive.
“At present, users are often left to fend for themselves, reporting scam content only after damage has been done.
“There needs to be stronger investment in detection technologies, faster response systems and greater collaboration with local regulators and law enforcement.
“Transparency is also a major issue, as platforms rarely disclose how many scam accounts they remove or how quickly they act.
“The lack of publicly available enforcement metrics undermines trust and makes it difficult for governments to evaluate compliance or performance,” he said.
Sundramoorthy said scams on social media are not just isolated cases.
“They reflect systemic weaknesses in digital environments that are poorly policed and often designed to prioritise engagement over safety. When perpetrators can repeatedly create new accounts or remain anonymous, deterrence becomes ineffective.
“Until platforms are held legally and financially accountable for harms that occur on their networks, we are unlikely to see substantial improvements,” he said.
Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association president Siraj Jalil said the root solution lies in the identification of consumers on the Internet.
He said this will ensure people, including scammers, think twice before doing anything online.
“This is what the government should be strengthening, rather than pushing social media companies to take any form of action.
“Because our internal governance itself is lacking domestically, we should take charge before urging all these international organisations to do what we want.
“Right now, the government’s action seems more like watering the fallen leaves instead of the root of the tree.
“To me, it looks like the government is looking to use this as a way to silence or take down political content because scamming involves psychosocial and user behaviour, it’s not just a technical issue,” he said.
Siraj added that it is no longer viable to allow exploitation of identity and the freedom to do anything on the Internet, as the problem doesn’t begin with the use of the platforms but is more about the person using them.
He said with strengthened innovation of digital identity for Internet gateways, the management will follow suit, thus curbing scammers from operating.
Additionally, he said SIM cards cannot be sold commercially; sale has to be tied to digital identities with biometric verification or integrated with the MyKad.
Siraj added that telcos should take charge here, as this will help with the monitoring and enforcement of who is behind the scenes.
Cyber Security expert Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin believes that social media platforms must be held accountable, as it will ensure a check and balance mechanism.
“If we take, for example, generative artificial intelligence without accountability, it is a danger to humanity.
“Some form of control needs to be included.
“Technology is one possibility to alleviate these crimes, such as by introducing real-time analysis and pattern recognition of keywords and methods that malicious scammers usually use,” he said.
