KUALA LUMPUR - Starting June 1, Malaysia will require digital platforms to introduce safeguards limiting account registration and ownership by users under 16. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission announced the rules Friday, mandating stronger content governance to reduce youth exposure to harmful content.
The regulator will grant a reasonable grace period for providers to complete verification and comply. The approach remains outcome-based, allowing flexibility in meeting safety, privacy, and legal requirements.
Malaysia has intensified scrutiny of social media after a sharp rise in harmful online content, including gambling, scams, child pornography, cyberbullying, and content targeting race, religion, or royalty. The government plans age verification for users by 2026, aligning with global moves to limit minors' social media use.
This week, MCMC also ordered TikTok to address offensive content about Malaysia's monarchy, and earlier blocked AI assistant Grok amid backlash over explicit image generation.