Despite previous warnings from the MCMC given to Meta on the removal of such content, the company had failed to take sufficient action in addressing the issue on its platform. — AFP
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) says that it will be taking legal action against Facebook parent company Meta over its inaction towards removing harmful content on the platform.
In a statement to the media, MCMC outlined that Facebook had recently become inundated with a significant amount of harmful content, including those that touch on race, royalty, and religion (3R), along with defamation, impersonation, online gambling, and scam advertisements.
Despite previous warnings from the MCMC given to Meta on the removal of such content, the company had failed to take sufficient action in addressing the issue on its platform.
“Meta’s response, which has been sluggish and unsatisfactory, has not met the urgency of the matter and has led to increasing public concern and scrutiny.
“As there is no sufficient cooperation from Meta, MCMC has no option but to take definitive steps or legal action against Meta as a measure to ensure that people are secure and protected in the digital sphere.
“The action is necessary in promoting accountability for cybersecurity and enhancing consumer protection against online harms, including fraudulent activities and scams," it says in the statement.
This comes shortly after Telegram had agreed to cooperate with government efforts towards clamping on criminal activity on its platform following scrutiny from the MCMC.
