2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Nearly 38,000 false posts and 8,000 3R-related contents taken down in three years
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has requested to remove nearly 38,000 false contents and 8,000 posts related to race, religion and royalty (3R) from social media platforms in a three year period.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said th ministry takes the issue of the spread of false information on social media seriously, especially when it involves attempts to manipulate sentiments related to the race, religion, and royalty (3R) by irresponsible parties, including political troll accounts.
"From Jan 1, 2022 to July 1, 2025, a total of 7,846 3R-related contents and 37,845 false contents were removed by platform providers at MCMC's request under Section 233 (for improper use of network facilities or services) of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
"Each removal action is carried out based on existing legislation, regardless of the political background or beliefs of the individual, to ensure that freedom of speech is not abused.
"The final assessment is also subject to the platform providers according to their community guidelines," he said in a written reply to Kampar member of Parliament Chong Zhemin.
He said the MCMC works closely with the police to enforce the Communications and Multimedia Act and other existing laws.
"Action can be taken against any individual under Section 233 under the Communications and Multimedia Act who misuses application services, including social media, to create and disseminate false or extremely offensive content with the intent, among others, to hurt, harass, or disturb others.
"To further strengthen online safety, Fahmi said MCMC had introduced licensing requirements for internet messaging and social media service providers to obtain the Application Service Provider Class License, effective Jan 1, 2025," he said.
Fahmi also said to mitigate online harms, service providers are encouraged to adopt the Code of Conduct (Best Practices) for Internet Messaging and Social Media Service Providers, which was issued by MCMC on Dec 20, 2024.
