KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will meet social media platform providers to discuss the implementation of the electronic Know-Your-Customer (eKYC) process, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said the meetings would take place next week in Singapore and involve MCMC alongside other government departments and agencies, and platform providers such as Meta, Google, X and TikTok.
Fahmi added that the discussions would focus on the mechanisms to best ensure that the eKYC process, which uses official documents such as MyKad, passports and MyDigital ID, can be utilised securely to ensure the safety of users under the age of 16.
“We are aware that among the challenges faced in addressing this issue (online harms) is protecting children from paedophiles. This likewise requires us to implement the eKYC process.
“(The implementation of the eKYC process) will comply with the Personal Data Protection Act to prevent any data leaks or related issues.
“However, the most important matter is online safety, particularly for children and families,” he told the Lower House during the oral question and answer session on Tuesday (Oct 28).
Fahmi was replying to a supplementary question by Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi), who inquired about the mechanisms that would be applied should the government ban social media use among minors under 16.
The Communications Minister added that the implementation of the licensing framework in early January 2025, which required social media platforms to be licensed, was done to safeguard online use among Malaysians.
