KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s decision to require a license for all social media platforms is intended to curb criminal activities such as fraud and online gambling, which often exploit these platforms to lure targeted victims.
According to cybersecurity expert Associate Prof. Dr. M Selvakumar of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), this licensing requirement will enable the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to strengthen its oversight and ensure that social media platforms actively work to prevent illegal activities.
He said the introduction of a licensing system would require all social media services to comply with national laws and provide users with a more effective mechanism to report suspicious activities such as online gambling and fraud.
“This crucial step demonstrates Malaysia’s commitment to combating the growing threat of cybercrime, particularly in areas such as fraud and online gambling. However, it is important to understand that licensing alone is not enough.
“It should be part of a comprehensive strategy that includes robust enforcement, cross-sector collaboration and a flexible framework that adapts to the evolving technological landscape,” he told Bernama.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) recently announced that all social media and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for an Applications Service Provider Class Licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).
This requirement, which is set to come into force on 1 January 2025, follows the introduction of a new regulatory framework for social media services and internet messaging, introduced earlier this month.
Crime analyst Shahul Hamid Abdul Rahim believes that by enforcing these licensing regulations, the government can give the MCMC the power to ensure that social media advertising is limited to products and companies that comply with national laws.
He said online gambling and fraud often occur when users or victims are influenced by advertisements from syndicates on social media.
“With this enforcement, the MCMC will be able to monitor and promptly remove ads that violate the law or community standards, reducing the risk of even more social media users becoming victims.
“Fraudsters can also be identified earlier and with the introduction of a kill switch, illegal advertising and social media activities can be stopped before more people fall victim to them,” he said.
He suggested that, given the enormous reach of all age groups, social media should only be used to advertise goods and products that are sold legally in accordance with national laws.
He stressed that the government could provide social media platforms with clear guidelines on which goods or services are allowed to be advertised and promoted in the country.
Earlier, M. Kulasegaran, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), reported that 14,490 cases of online fraud were recorded between January and June 15 last year, with total losses exceeding RM581 million.
