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Hadi Azmi

Internet giant Google and billionaire Elon Musk’s X had failed to register for a social media licence to operate in Malaysia by the government’s January 1 deadline.
But Chinese platforms WeChat and TikTok led other tech giants in signing up to the new rules, Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said on Wednesday.
In July, the commission said social media platforms with more than eight million users must obtain a licence to operate in the country by January 1, 2025.
The commission argues that this is necessary to combat cybercrimes, including scams, cyberbullying, and sexual offences against children, citing platform operators’ lackadaisical attitude towards such content.
However, it has not specified penalties for non-compliance.

In a statement on Wednesday, the MCMC said that X argued that its user base in Malaysia does not meet the 8 million user threshold.
“Currently, MCMC is actively reviewing the validity of the number of users and will continue engagement sessions to assess X’s position,” the commission said.
In early 2024, X reported having 5.71 million users in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Google, which owns YouTube, is in talks with the MCMC over its concern about the platform’s video-sharing features and licensing classification. The commission said it discussed the issues raised and will ensure YouTube and relevant platforms understand their responsibilities.


China’s Tencent, owner of WeChat, and TikTok owners ByteDance have secured their licences ahead of the deadline, with Telegram in the final stages of the process.
“Meta, which oversees Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has initiated the process to obtain a licence, which is anticipated to be finalised shortly,” the MCMC said.
Meta’s move to comply with the law comes after criticism from Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He has accused the company of not acting swiftly enough to remove criminal content from its platforms, questioning if the owner of Facebook and Instagram has “no remorse” while online scams affect the public.

The government said Meta has been the least responsive among social media platforms in removing content related to scams or online gambling.
“We spend so many resources communicating with Meta, repeatedly every day, to take down content related to illegal online gambling or scams,” Fahmil told This Week in Asia in an interview on December 6.
In October, Meta criticised Malaysia’s licensing plan, saying it lacked clear guidelines and gave social companies little time to comply, risking digital innovation and growth in the country.


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Malaysia

Google, Musk’s X miss Malaysia’s social media licence deadline; China’s WeChat, TikTok comply

Despite a January 1 deadline, Elon Musk’s X failed to secure social media licences in Malaysia. Photo: AP

The Google logo at the Google headquarters in Mountain View, California. Photo: AFP

Malaysia’s Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. Photo: AFP

Asia debates Australia’s ban on ‘brain rot’ social media for children: safety or control?

Image: Huy Truong

School students in Melbourne use social media applications on their smartphones. Photo: Reuters

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

A screengrab shows a post on X from Elon Musk regarding Australia’s bill to regulate social media. Photo: X/Elon Musk via Reuters

A teenage boy uses his smartphone in Sydney. Photo: AP

Malaysian social media influencer Rajeswary Appahue. Photo: Instagram/_rajeswaryappahu

PAS supporters carry party flags in Kelantan, Malaysia. PAS found social media success with its TikTok election campaign. Photo: Shutterstock

A handout photograph shows one of the teens in Singapore who were radicalised by Isis content online. Photo: Singapore’s Internal Security Department

People gather near the Merlion statue in in Singapore. Photo: AFP

Many parents worry about how to ensure their children’s safety online. Photo: Shutterstock

Boycotts, bans and dough-kissing drama: Malaysia’s social media obsessions in 2024

Upper left: Starbucks suffered financial losses after being targeted by a viral boycott campaign for its alleged support of Israel.  Photo: Getty Images/TNS. A KK Super Mart store in Puchong, Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AP
 Bottom left:  Right: A video showing Alice Chang from Malaysia kissing a piece of dough went viral. Photo: YouTube/funniesvideo

Starbucks closed 50 of its outlets in Malaysia as customers snubbed the chain. Photo: TNS

A McDonald’s restaurant in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Chagee Malaysia has held a lucky draw to celebrate its 7th anniversary by offering luxury handbags and Apple products as prizes. Photo: Chagee/X

Alice Chang is seen kissing uncooked dough. Photo: YouTube/funniesvideo

The Xiaohongshu app show recommendations in Malaysia. Photo: Xiaohongshu

Malaysia Fire and Rescue Department officers inspect the site where a woman fell into an eight-metre deep sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur on August 23. Photo: EPA-EFE

KK Super Mart convenience store in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Shutterstock

A woman checks her mobile phone in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP

Japan eyes Australia’s under-16 social media ban amid addiction worries

Japanese schoolchildren cross a street in Tokyo. Photo: AFP

Australian PM Anthony Albanese speaks on the Online Safety Amendment Bill in Parliament House in Canberra on Monday. Photo: AAP via Reuters

Social media apps have faced scrutiny from US regulators over youth safety concerns. Photo: TNS

Malaysian police make child porn raids ahead of social media deadline

Malaysia’s police chief Razarudin Husain said the operation was part of efforts to track down perpetrators of online child sex abuse. Photo: AP

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The Malaysian government implemented the licensing requirement to combat cybercrime, but Google and X have raised concerns about the regulations


The Malaysian government implemented the licensing requirement to combat cybercrime, but Google and X have raised concerns about the regulations.
