KUALA LUMPUR (July 27): All social media and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for a Class License for Application Service Providers, according to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

This is part of a new regulatory framework for a safer internet for children and families that will be introduced on Aug 1, and its enforcement will come into effect on Jan 1, 2025, said the commission in a statement on Saturday.

Failure to obtain a licence after the effective date would be an offence, and appropriate legal action can be taken under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).

“This is in line with the Malaysian Cabinet’s decision that social media services and internet messaging services must comply with Malaysian laws, to combat the rise in cybercrime offences including scams and online fraud, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes against children,” said MCMC.

This new regulatory framework only applies to services that meet the licensing eligibility criteria and does not involve its users. And this measure will create a safer online ecosystem and a better user experience, especially for children and families, MCMC added.

Previously, these services were exempted from licensing requirements based on the Communications and Multimedia (Licensing) (Exemption) Order 2000.

Early this week, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that in the first half of 2024, losses from online scams on Facebook alone were between RM8 million and RM132 million.