MCMC to engage with platforms before licensing implementation

 

The government will continue to engage with social media platforms before the new licensing regulations are implemented in January 2025.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said there will be a five-month grace period for social media platforms to comply with the new licensing regulations to ensure a smooth transition.

“MCMC has provided a five-month grace period to allow platforms sufficient time to comply with the licensing requirements.

“Within this period, the commission will continue to actively engage with service providers to facilitate a smooth transition into the new regulatory framework by Jan 1, 2025.

“Considering this, MCMC urges service providers to make every effort to ensure their operations align with local laws and regulations,” it said in a statement today.

Earlier today, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government will proceed with implementing the regulatory framework despite pushback from major stakeholders via a letter from the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC).

The latest letter from IT giants including Google, Meta, Amazon, and Apple opposing the government’s plans to license social media has been refined compared to its original version.

Changes to letter

Previously, AIC described the licensing as “impractical” before changing the phrase to say it would “negatively impact innovation”.

Additionally, the letter also eliminated the statement mentioning that due to lack of consultation, “no platform can be expected to register under these conditions”.

The commission explained that the licensing requirement, which applies to providers with over eight million users, was established to regulate entities with a “significant impact on the Malaysian digital ecosystem.”

MCMC clarified that this threshold applies only to service providers, not end users.

“This regulatory framework was introduced as a key step towards a safer online environment, including addressing online gambling, scams, and pornography,” the MCMC said.

The commission reiterated that the framework aims to ensure the online ecosystem remains open, secure, and trustworthy for all users while encouraging innovation and investment.

“Cabinet approval for the regulatory framework was obtained on March 8, 2024,” it added.

Since then, the commission said it has been actively engaging with various stakeholders, including service providers, civil society organizations, NGOs, and law enforcement agencies.

In a move towards transparency and inclusivity, the MCMC announced plans for a public inquiry exercise to solicit feedback from all relevant parties, to ensure that the final framework is fair, effective, and reflective of the needs of both the industry and the public. - Mkini