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Effective 1 January 2026, all social media and Internet messaging platforms with more than eight million users in Malaysia will be automatically "deemed registered" by the authorities
Announced by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), this regulatory shift makes tech giants directly liable under Malaysian law and regulatory frameworks.
According to the New Straits Times, the platforms that meet the criteria are:
– WhatsApp
– Telegram
– Facebook
– Instagram
– TikTok
– YouTube
Under this new measure, qualifying platforms will be categorised as Application Service Provider Class (ASP(C)) licence holders through a dispensation of formalities under Section 46A of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
This move aligns with the licensing framework originally enforced on 1 January 2025, aimed at strengthening accountability
Providers that have already registered as ASP(C) licensees will retain their current status until their existing registration expires, after which the new implementation will take effect.
MCMC said this step is vital to ensure large-scale providers take clearer responsibility for user safety, especially in protecting children and families
While these companies will continue to operate their global platforms as usual, they must now function within Malaysia's legal framework in a more orderly and consistent manner.
This approach mirrors international standards for regulating online platforms, with the commission pledging continued cooperation with law enforcement to tighten online safety measures.
