Grab distances itself from industry group protesting social media licence

 

Ride-hailing and food delivery firm Grab said it remains committed to collaborating with the government to contribute to the nation’s development. (Grab web pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Ride-hailing and food delivery firm Grab has distanced itself from an Asian industry group protesting the government’s plan to require social media platforms to apply for a licence.

Grab Malaysia, which Reuters reported as being a member of the Asia Internet Coalition, said it was neither informed nor consulted on an open letter the AIC sent to the prime minister over the issue.

“The proposed regulation does not impact our operations and therefore we had no part in it (the letter). We did not and are not commenting on the matter.

We remain committed to collaborating with the government, reflecting our mission to contribute to the nation’s development,

 it said in a brief statement.

Social media services and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for a licence from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

While the licence was introduced on Aug 1, MCMC said it was giving platforms a grace period until Jan 1, 2025 to obtain the licence.

The new policy is aimed at combating cybercrime and creating a safer internet environment for children and families, it said.

The AIC, whose members also include Apple Inc and Amazon, wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last Friday, calling on Putrajaya to pause the licensing plan over a lack of clarity on the proposed regulations.

The group also said the proposed licensing regime was unworkable for the industry and could stifle innovation by placing undue burdens on businesses.

It also complained that there were no formal public consultations on the plan, leading to industry uncertainty regarding the scope of obligations to be imposed on social media platforms.

Previously, communications minister Fahmi Fadzil claimed that social media platforms had responded positively to the need for licensing and were willing to take part. - FMT