Two new codes under the Online Safety Act 2025, the Child Protection Code (CPC) and Risk Mitigation Code (RMC), will take effect on June 1, requiring digital platforms to take stricter action against harmful content and better protect children online.
The MCMC said in a statement today that both codes were developed following engagement sessions with industry players, civil society organisations and stakeholders, including a public consultation held from Feb 12 to March 31.
MCMC said a reasonable implementation period will be given to service providers to ensure the verification process is completed in an orderly manner.
"These codes set clear expectations for service providers to take greater responsibility in addressing harmful content on their platforms, particularly in protecting children and vulnerable users.
"The implementation approach under these codes is outcomes-based, giving service providers the flexibility to implement solutions that align with safety, privacy and legal requirements," the statement read.
MCMC added that the CPC and RMC are important steps in strengthening Malaysia's approach to online safety.
"The implementation of these key obligations under the Act is also part of the government's ongoing efforts to ensure a safer digital experience for children and families.
"This step helps strengthen child protection in the online environment, while giving parents added confidence in navigating increasingly complex digital risks," the statement read.
Under the CPC, platform providers are required to apply safety by design, including restricting under-16 account registration and ownership, introducing age-appropriate protections, and limiting certain functions that could expose children to risk, thereby reducing exposure to exploitative and harmful content.
The RMC
The RMC requires service providers to implement proactive and comprehensive measures to mitigate the risk of harmful content.
These include risk assessments, stronger content governance, effective reporting and response mechanisms, advertiser verification measures and labelling of manipulated content.
Failure to comply with the requirements under the RMC may result in enforcement action, including fines or financial penalties of up to RM10 million.
According to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, licensed service providers must also test and adapt algorithmic systems, including recommendation systems, to mitigate the risk of users being exposed to harmful content on their services.
“This recognises that algorithmic curation can amplify or reduce harmful content exposure,” it said.
In an effort to curb online fraud, MCMC also stipulates that paid-for advertisements for goods or services may only be allowed if they come from advertisers (businesses or organisations) or users verified against government-issued records.
This aims to reduce fraud and misuse of advertising for harmful activities.
MCMC said it may revoke, vary, revise or amend the whole or any part of the RMC from time to time, whenever necessary.
- Bernama
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