Will licensing social media platforms make Malaysians safer?

FROM Thursday (Aug 1, 2024) onwards all social media and online messaging platforms with at least eight million users in Malaysia will be required to apply for a licence from the government.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) stated that this is to ensure a “safer online ecosystem”. The regulatory framework would require these platforms to comply with Malaysians laws and combat cybercrime, including scams and online fraud, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes against children.