KUALA LUMPUR: Internet users in Malaysia can expect to see significant changes in online safety following the enforcement of the Online Safety Act, which took effect yesterday.
According to a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document issued by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), users can expect more consistent and proportionate safety measures from online platforms.
These include clearer safety information and guidelines, easier ways to report harmful content, more responsive assistance, and better tools and settings to control who can search for, contact or interact with them.
The MCMC said for services likely to be used by children, stronger protections are expected to be rolled out in phases, Bernama reported.
According to the FAQ, these may include “safer default settings, stronger privacy safeguards and greater control over interactions”. The Act also supports parents by mandating that online platforms provide enhanced safety tools, clearer settings and better guidance.
This included controls to manage who can contact children, regulate the content they can access or are recommended, provide clear safe-usage guidelines, and offer straightforward mechanisms for reporting harmful material and seeking help.
The Act is intended to foster a safer online environment for all in Malaysia, with a particular focus on protecting children, families and vulnerable groups. It requires social media platforms to act more responsibly and promptly against harmful content under strengthened safety standards.
“It strengthens protections for children, families and vulnerable users, while ensuring a safer and more trusted internet for all Malaysians,” the FAQ states.
The law establishes clearer obligations for service providers to safeguard the public, especially at-risk groups, from harmful online content.
According to the MCMC, the Act applies to service providers licensed under the Communications and Multimedia Act.
These include Application Service Providers (ASPs), Content Application Service Providers (CASPs) and Network Service Providers (NSPs), collectively referred to as Licensed Service Providers.
“All regulatory responsibilities under the Online Safety Act are imposed on Licensed Service Providers. The Act does not apply to individual users,” the FAQ states.
Under the existing licensing framework, a service provider offering internet messaging or social media services with more than eight million users in Malaysia is deemed to be an ASP licence holder.
“Therefore, these service providers are subject to Malaysia’s regulatory requirements, and all social media platforms meeting the licensing criteria must comply with the Act,” the FAQ adds.
The MCMC further explained that the growth in Internet use has led to increased exposure to harmful content, including child sexual exploitation, online scams, cyberbullying and extremist material.
The Act was introduced to address these issues by establishing clear obligations for Licensed Service Providers.
Another goal of the Act is to build public trust by mandating that Licensed Service Providers take active steps to prevent harm, detect and remove damaging content, and enhance online security for everyone.
