Social media providers must file safety plans by Dec 28
The plans must outline proposed user safeguards, while age verification requirements are expected to be implemented after a transition period.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said licensed social media providers must lodge plans detailing their intended safety measures with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) no later than Dec 28. The requirement falls under the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866).
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Teo said the submissions must explain the changes providers intend to make to improve user safety. She said platforms were expected to implement age verification requirements in early January, after the current transition period.
MCMC has instructed providers including Meta, TikTok and Google to implement age checks, Teo said. It has also sought information for compliance monitoring. Figures showing how many accounts have been verified and closed are to be provided after the transition ends.
Failure to meet obligations under the law could lead to enforcement action, she said. Providers face fines reaching RM1 million, plus up to RM100,000 a day if an offence continues after conviction.
On fake accounts and hate speech, Teo said checking the ages of users aged 16 and above does not include confirming their identities. Age verification would therefore not directly resolve fake accounts, and further consideration of appropriate measures was needed.
Teo was answering Wong Shu Qi (Pakatan Harapan-Kluang), whose question covered compliance, account verification and blocking figures, and enforcement against providers.
