MCMC's new regulatory framework to take effect in Malaysia on 1 January 2025

The new regulatory framework will only apply to platforms that meet the licensing eligibility requirements, and will not involve users. 

⁠The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced on 27 July 2024 that a new regulatory framework will be introduced on 1 August 2024, slated to take effect on 1 January 2025. 

This comes in line with the Cabinet's decision that social media and Internet messaging services must comply with Malaysian law, in order to combat the rise in cybercrime cases such as online frauds, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes against children. This step aims to ensure a safer online ecosystem as well as a better experience for users, in particular children and families. 

Under this new framework, social media and Internet messaging services with at least 8mn registered users in Malaysia must apply for an Application Service Provision Class Licence in accordance with the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).

Failure to obtain a licence after the effective date of the framework will be considered an offence, and appropriate legal action may be taken under Act 588. 

Prior to this new framework, platforms that were exempted from licensing requirements were based on the Communications and Multimedia (Licensing) (Exemption) Order 2000.

The new regulatory framework will only apply to platforms that meet the licensing eligibility requirements, and will not involve users.