Telegram didn't comply with many content removal requests, says Fahmi
KUALA LUMPUR : Telegram failed to comply with many of the requests made by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to remove harmful content on the platform, says communications minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Among all social media platforms, he said, Telegram has the lowest rate of compliance – less than 50% – to MCMC's requests to remove content.
'I have ordered MCMC to call Telegram for a meeting next week to discuss the issue,' he told reporters following an event at Pantai Dalam this morning.
On June 19, MCMC filed a civil suit against Telegram and two of its channels for allegedly spreading harmful content that could erode trust in public institutions and threaten social order.
MCMC said the two channels – 'Edisi Siasat' and 'Edisi Khas' – were found to have published content that violated provisions under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA).
'This marks the first such action taken against a social media platform provider, particularly since Telegram holds an application service provider (class) licence.
'The move follows Telegram's serious failure to address content that has been repeatedly reported to it, despite multiple negotiation and cooperation efforts by MCMC,' it said.
Fahmi said that as of June 24, MCMC had flagged 1,188,528 pieces of harmful content across various social media platforms. However, only 173,642 of those requests were complied with.
'Of this number, 51% of the content removed were online gambling ads, while 24% were online scams.
'We will take strict action to ensure Malaysians do not become victims of cybercrime,' he said.
He said MCMC can only make requests, but the platforms themselves have to do what is necessary to ensure the content cannot be accessed in the country.
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