The government is seeking an amendment that will compel social media operators into revealing user data upon request. According to deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching, the ministry plans to table a bill to amend the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 next month, changing the law to enable authorities to identify individuals who run fake accounts on social media.
Teo explained that this step in giving the police more enforcement power was crucial to make social media platform providers strengthen guidelines for users when making new accounts, such as making it mandatory to provide a valid phone number when registering. “If there is no such effort, then it would be really hard for us to trace those behind fake accounts,” said the deputy minister.
Notably, Teo had previously stated that the communications ministry had no plans to introduce mandatory identity verification for social media and messaging app users. However, she added that this move might be considered when annual licensing is implemented and it could be included in the code of practice.
Starting 1 January 2025, all social media platforms with at least eight million users in the country will need to apply for a licence from the government, although communications minister Fahmi Fadzil has ensured his ministry will not be banning unlicensed platforms. Ahead of this implementation, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has publicised a draft of the upcoming Code of Conduct for Internet Messaging Service Providers and Social Media Service Providers, which currently includes a stipulation for mandatory age verification, but this has yet to be finalised.
(Source: Malaysiakini)
