KUALA LUMPUR: Licensed platform service providers will have to present their respective online safety plans to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) by Dec 28 this year, says Teo Nie Ching.
The Deputy Communications Minister said service providers are compelled to do so under the Online Safety Plan regulations.
“They will also have to present any additional matters taken to improve safety for their users.
“This has to be submitted before or by Dec 28,” she said during question time in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Nov 11).
According to Teo, failing to do so can result in penalties not exceeding RM1mil alongside additional penalties of up to RM100,000 for each subsequent day where the violation continues, following conviction.
“A notice of non-compliance can also be issued under Section 37 under the Online Safety Act alongside another financial penalty not exceeding RM10mil,” she said.
Teo was responding to a supplementary question by Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang) who asked about steps taken by the Communications Ministry to monitor the implementation of the enforcement status on social media age verification since June 1 this year.
She also asked about the number of existing accounts that have been verified and the number of accounts belonging to those under 16 years of age that platforms have blocked.
Teo added that MCMC will continue engaging with social media platform providers and engaging with them to ensure age verification is done efficiently.
“MCMC is also closely monitoring developments in other countries on matters related to child safety online, in order to improve Malaysia measures,” she said.
Teo also said only age verification is undertaken by platforms and not identities.
Malaysia began enforcing age verification requirements for the registration and opening of social media accounts from June 1 as a proactive measure to protect children under the age of 16 from cyber threats.
The move was implemented in line with the enforcement of the Child Protection Code (CPC) and Risk Mitigation Code (RMC) under the Online Safety Act 2025 by the MCMC.
