Malaysia’s communications regulator has announced new regulations that will take effect from June 1 to safeguard children online and protect them from harmful content on digital platforms.
The decision follows authorities’ efforts to ensure the internet is safer for children as concerns about cybercrime and harmful content online rise.
Online service providers are now mandated to implement measures to prevent minors (those under 16 years) from registering and being owners of online accounts, according to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Platforms will also need to further improve their content governance mechanisms to facilitate effective control and monitoring of harmful content.
The measures will offer “age-appropriate protections” and will limit some “high-risk features” found in online platforms, the commission said.
Read more: Greece plans social media ban for under-15s
Companies will also need to put in place effective reporting and response systems, advertiser verification systems and label manipulated and altered content if required.
The new requirements will come into effect on June 1, but the regulator said online platforms will be given a grace period to meet the requirements.
It did not, however, make any mention of the length of the transition period.
In recent years, Malaysia has been highly active in monitoring social media companies after the rise of harmful activities on social media.
Online gambling, scams, child pornography, grooming, cyberbullying and sensitive material involving race, religion and royalty have been deemed serious problems.
The Government is also preparing to bring in age verification for users later this year, after several countries worldwide launched efforts to reduce the amount of social media that children and teens are exposed to.
Also read: Under-15s face social media ban in Turkiye
