MCMC looks into best way to verify age of social media users

 The age verification method must be in place by the second quarter of 2026 to prepare for the new minimum age limit of 16 for social media account holders.

Meetings have been held with online companies to determine the most suitable method, said deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching. (Bernama pic)

KULAI:

 Officials of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are looking into various methods to verify the ages of internet users before the minimum age limit of 16 for social media use takes effect later this year.

“We already have verification methods such as identity cards, passports, and MyDigital ID,” said deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching. “But at the same time, MCMC is also open to accepting or considering other methods for age verification,” she said.

The government reportedly intends to have digital user identity verification implemented by every social media platform by the end of the second quarter in order to enforce the minimum age limit of 16 for opening an account.

Teo said MCMC has held meetings with online companies such as Meta (owner of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram), Google, and TikTok to determine the most suitable method for verifying ages, using a regulatory sandbox, or testing environment. - FMT