The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has announced that it will be taking definitive steps or legal action against Meta as the social media platform has failed to take sufficient action to address Facebook scam ads, impersonation, online gambling and undesirable content related to Race, Royalty and Religion. This comes after increasing public concern and Meta’s response has been sluggish and unsatisfactory.
According to the MCMC’s official statement, Meta has failed to take sufficient action to address the issue of undesirable content on its platform and has not fully cooperated with efforts to remove such content. It added that 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 protected in the digital sphere. MCMC said action is necessary in promoting accountability for cybersecurity and enhancing consumer protection against online harms, including fraudulent activities and scams.
The regulator stressed that it is utterly intolerant towards any continuous and escalating abuse of online platforms and telecommunications, network or online facilities for malicious cyber activities, phishing, or any content that threatens racial stability, social harmony and defies respect for the Rulers.
Meta which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp has been allowing scam and impersonation ads on its platform. Most of these ads can be prevented if Meta conducts basic checks on new advertisers and establish a local moderation team in Malaysia that can quickly act on user reports. Meta has continuously approved ads impersonating Malaysian brands, public figures and organisations which are intended to scam. Despite claiming it has algorithms to prevent scammers on its platform, it is clear that Meta has prioritised ad revenue over user safety by allowing such ads which can be easily prevented with basic user intervention.
Saya menerima tangkap layar ini sebentar tadi. Ini adalah PALSU!
— Fahmi Fadzil 🇲🇾 (@fahmi_fadzil) May 5, 2023
Saya tidak pernah mempromosi mana-mana skim pelaburan seperti ini. Saya telah laporkan pada pihak SKMM. pic.twitter.com/zm9tbK1iBZ
Even Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil was a victim of impersonation as an ad with his face was used for what appears to be a scam investment scheme. At the same time, Malaysia needs to update its policies and regulations to hold foreign platforms accountable as the current policies are ineffective against digital platforms hosted outside of Malaysia.
Indonesia has made it mandatory for all local and foreign digital platforms to register themselves as an Electronic Systems Provider, which will require them to take down inappropriate content within 4 hours for urgent requests made by Indonesian authorities. If a platform fails to comply, the government can order internet service providers to block access. Facebook, Instagram and Netflix were spared from being banned in Indonesia after they agree to comply with local regulations ahead of the deadline.
Last year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) sued Meta for allowing scam ads on its platform. It alleged that Meta has engaged in false, misleading or deceptive conduct by publishing scam advertisements featuring prominent Australian public figures. The commission’s chairman Rod Sims said Meta is responsible for ads that it publishes on its platform and should have been doing more to detect and then remove false or misleading ads on Facebook, to prevent consumers from falling victim to ruthless scammers.
[ SOURCE ]
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