KUALA LUMPUR: Several social media platforms have been found to have failed to fully comply with takedown orders on manipulative and fraudulent content generated through artificial intelligence (AI), says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said between Jan 1 and Aug 31 this year, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) submitted 1,602 requests to remove AI-based scam content, but only 1,346 were taken down, reflecting a compliance rate of about 84%.
"From MCMC's observation and my own, social media platforms are not taking online safety issues involving AI content seriously.
"This is proven when even His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Prime Minister themselves fell victim to deepfake scams purportedly promoting investment schemes," he said during question time at the Dewan Negara Tuesday (Sept 9).
He was responding to Senator Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol, who asked about AI-related scam cases detected over the past two years and measures taken to raise public awareness on the matter.
Given the urgent need for stronger legal enforcement, Fahmi said the government will enforce the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866) by the end of this year or early 2026, which, among others, will require all social media and online messaging platforms to label AI-based content.
"Platforms will be required to use labels such as 'AI Generated' or 'AI Enhanced' on AI images or content. While we acknowledge that AI can improve visuals, we do not want it to be misused for scams that ultimately cause losses to the public," he said.
In addition, he said Act 866 will require service providers to submit online safety plans as proof of compliance, while MCMC is also studying the possibility of imposing licensing requirements on applications that use AI.
To combat digital crime more effectively, Fahmi said the government has established the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), led by the Royal Malaysia Police in collaboration with the Communications Ministry, the Home Ministry (KDN), Bank Negara Malaysia and MCMC.
NSRC serves as a rapid response hub for digital scam cases, while also carrying out public awareness programmes and national campaigns on digital crime, he added.
Fahmi also said MCMC's "Kempen Internet Selamat" (Safe Internet Campaign), launched in January, has so far reached 1,958 educational institutions with more than 145,000 participants, while 236 community programmes have been conducted involving over 141,000 participants as of Aug 31. - Bernama
