Operating license to be imposed on social media platform by December 31

27 December 2024

KUALA LUMPUR: Social media platform providers have been urged to register for their service licenses promptly, as the enforcement of the Class License for Application Service Providers will take effect on January 1.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching announced that the deadline for submitting license applications is December 31.

She commended Telegram and Tencent (WeChat) for being proactive in initiating the licensing process required to operate in Malaysia.

"I would like to thank Tencent and Telegram for their cooperation and compliance with the regulations set forth by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). I hope other platforms will follow suit if they wish to provide services in Malaysia," she stated.

The MCMC has highlighted that the new licensing requirement aims to enhance online safety, protect users, and strengthen the regulation of internet messaging and social media service providers.

This framework is designed to foster a safe and trusted online environment by encouraging service providers to prioritise the protection of users, especially children and other vulnerable groups.

Failure to submit applications by the deadline may result in regulatory action—an outcome that all parties involved hope to avoid.

Addressing concerns about the unethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) by some individuals, Teo emphasised the necessity of licensing for over-the-top (OTT) platforms to ensure that service providers can effectively remove harmful content.

"This is why we are implementing OTT licensing; we need the cooperation of platform providers to eliminate harmful content. AI is a new technology, and we cannot turn back the clock on its development. While some individuals are using AI to create meaningful videos, it is critical to ensure that harmful content is swiftly taken down. In countries like South Korea and the United States, AI has been exploited to create child pornography, prompting the last Parliament session to tighten laws regarding this issue," she stated.

On September 20, the National Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence Governance and Ethics (AIGE) was launched as a comprehensive framework for users, policymakers, and AI technology providers, demonstrating the government's commitment to establishing a safe, ethical, and public-interest-driven technology ecosystem.