Google, X, Meta & More Want Malaysia To Pause Social Media Licensing
The platforms also claimed that the government's social media licensing plan is "unworkable".
By Sukhbir Cheema — 27 Aug 2024, 10:10 AM
Google, Meta, X, Apple, Amazon, Grab, and more are urging the Malaysian government to pause its plans to introduce social media licensing
The Malaysian government has mandated that social media and online messaging platforms with a minimum of eight million users must apply for a government licence
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said the new regulations aim to ensure a safer online ecosystem.
Enforcement of the licensing requirements will begin on 1 January, 2025. Platforms that fail to apply for licensing may face legal repercussions.
In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the tech companies described the government's social media licensing plan as "unworkable"
According to the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), which represented the tech companies in the open letter, there is a lack of clarity regarding the planned licensing, and it could stifle innovation. The group also argued that businesses would experience undue burdens.
The AIC also disclosed that there were no formal public consultations. As a result, it claimed that there is uncertainty about the scope of obligations on social media and messaging platforms.
"No platform can be expected to register under these conditions," AIC managing director Jeff Paine explained in the letter published on the group's website.
The AIC also warned that the proposed social media licensing could negatively impact Malaysia's digital economy
The group said that Malaysia's digital economy has been attracting significant investments recently.
While the group expressed support for the government's commitment to addressing online harms, the AIC said it needed more time to understand the implications of the new regulations.
The new regulations come as Malaysia struggles with the rise in fraud cases, online scams, cyberbullying, and adult content, especially paedophilia. All of these have contributed to Malaysia's firm approach to social media and online messaging platforms.
Meanwhile, Grab revealed that it was not informed or consulted about the AIC's open letter to Anwar
In a statement on 26 August cited by the New Straits Times, Grab explained that the social media and online messaging regulations will not impact its operations.
"Therefore, we had no part in it. We did not and are not commenting on the matter," the statement from Grab read.
The Singapore-based multinational tech company said that it remains committed to working closely with the Malaysian government.
