Why forced licensing sets a dangerous precedent


STARTING Jan 1 this year, social media and messaging platforms in Malaysia are now treated as “licensed” by default. The goal, according to regulators, is online safety.

No one is disputing the need to beef up safety in cyberspace. As it is, Malaysians are already losing billions of ringgit from online fraud. But the licensing process put in place by the government is somewhat of an anomaly and raises troubling questions.

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Social media; licensing

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