The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has announced that Telegram and Tencent (WeChat) have started its licensing process which is required starting next year. As announced in August, all social media and messaging platforms with at least 8 million registered users in Malaysia are required to apply for a Applications Service Provider Class licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
The new framework to regulate social media and instant messaging platforms will be enforced starting 1st January 2025.
In a statement released today, MCMC praised the commitment of Telegram and Tencent to comply with the licensing requirements. It added that both platforms are expected to fulfil the required conditions to operate in Malaysia very soon.
The regulator elaborated that the licensing requirements which will take effect starting next week is aimed at enhancing online security, user protection and to strengthen regulation of social media and instant messaging platforms. It added that the framework was designed to establish a safe and trusted online environment by ensuring platform providers protect users especially children and vulnerable groups. As a result, Malaysians would benefit from increased security, improved customer experience and enhanced protection against harmful content.
MCMC reminded all applicable platform providers to fulfll their licence conditions as soon as possible by 31st December 2024. Failure to do so will result in regulatory actions. The regulator said it is committed to provide necessary support to all providers to ensure a smoother application process.
Based on the licensing requirement which covers platforms with over 8 million Malaysian users, the licence is applicable to Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, X and YouTube. So far there’s no indication that Meta, ByteDance, X and Google have applied the required licence.
So what happens if Meta, ByteDance, X and Google fail to obtain the required licence by next week? According to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, the government has no intention to block unlicensed platforms but they may be subjected to fines and other actions.
According to the MCMC, applicable service providers that continue to operate without a licence from 1st January 2025 can be slapped with fines under Section 126 of CMA 1998. This may include fines of up to RM500,000 or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both. The platforms that fail to comply can be liable for further fines of RM1,000 per day during which the offence is continued after conviction.
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