KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is considering requiring social media firms to use MyDigital ID to block users under 16 from opening accounts, says Teo Nie Ching.
The Deputy Communications Minister said the government and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are discussing age verification with major platforms.
“The current proposal is to use MyDigital ID as one of the tools to verify users’ ages,” she said.
“We will discuss this further with platform providers to ensure users under 16 do not have social media accounts,” she said in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Nov 24).
She was replying to Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) on enforcing online age restrictions.
Teo said similar requirements are being rolled out overseas, including in Australia from December, using different age assessment methods.
Earlier, Teo said the commission received 2,937 network quality complaints nationwide from Jan 1 to Nov 20 via the Consumer Redress Portal.
She said service disruptions made up 2,047 cases, or 70% while weak 4G/LTE coverage accounted for 274 complaints or 12% and slow or unstable internet speeds made up 10% or 306 complaints.
Teo said a lack of 4G/LTE coverage was 136 complaints, or 5%, and weak 5G coverage was 109 complaints, or 4%.
She said three complaints originated from the Tanjong Karang constituency.
“One service disruption case was resolved. Two complaints on weak 4G/LTE coverage are under review by the Selangor office and service providers,” said Teo.
She said 4G network performance was measured at 13 locations in the area.
Teo was responding to Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi for Tanjong Karang on nationwide and constituency specific complaint statistics.
