PUTRAJAYA: Social media platforms must be proactive in taking down problematic content instead of waiting for reports to be lodged, says Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil (pic).
In his speech during an MOU signing between the Home Ministry, represented by the Immigration Department, and the Communications Ministry here yesterday, he noted that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had recorded 470,593 pieces of problematic content that it had requested platforms to take down.
“The responsible platforms have also taken down a total of 93% of that number, which is 436,661.
“However, in most cases, action is only taken after a report is lodged to MCMC or made by the public. This delay gives space for such content to be spread to the public, increasing its damage to the people.
“The platforms must hold greater responsibility in ensuring a safer online environment without relying on public reports or those from the authorities,” he said, adding that such content was also against the platforms’ own guidelines.
He also noted that Facebook had been the platform with the most amount of problematic content, including those regarding online gaming and contained scams.
“The platform that has committed the most transgression, and the most problematic when it comes to online gambling, is Facebook, with Facebook posts representing 78% of all online gambling content detected.
“Second place goes to YouTube at 18% and TikTok at 4%,” he said, adding that Facebook had also been the platform with the most scam-related content, with 53% of reported content.
“We should create an award for the platform that has wronged the Malaysian public the most,” he said in jest.
When met by the media after the event, Fahmi said 91% of all takedown requests were related to online gambling and scams.
“So, it is very clear that the MCMC’s efforts are aimed at ensuring that platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Threads and others are free from online crime and harmful content,” he said.
On the MOU signing, he said such agreements will allow investigations and intelligence gathering to be expedited.
“This enables investigations to be conducted more quickly and facilitating action, including legal action, where necessary. I welcome this development.”
