Malaysia is considering requiring advertisers on social media platforms to verify their identities, as part of efforts to clamp down on the growing threat of online scams. The proposed move is currently being evaluated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which is in the process of drafting new subsidiary legislation, including an online safety code.
Deputy comms minister Teo Nie Ching confirmed the development during a parliamentary session today. She said the government is looking closely at policies already in place in countries like Singapore and Taiwan, where similar identity verification measures are being enforced.
The proposal comes amid a sharp rise in scam-related activities on digital platforms. Between January and April 2025, the MCMC removed over 32,000 pieces of scam-related content online. During the same period, nearly RM800 million in losses were reported due to online fraud. That figure has since grown, with over 46,000 scam posts taken down as of mid-July, according to government data.
Teo stressed that the government is taking the misuse of digital platforms seriously, noting that the MCMC is actively working with major social media companies such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to take down content linked to investment scams, illegal gambling and the promotion of unregistered products. Despite these efforts, no platform has been charged or penalised in Malaysian courts for hosting scam-related advertisements to date.
The deputy comms minister explained the responsibility for such content often lies with third-party users. Moreover, she noted that the question of legal liability hinges on whether the platform itself played an active role in spreading the material.
(Source: The Edge Malaysia)
