PUTRAJAYA, Aug 28 — The Cabinet today decided to proceed with the implementation of the regulatory framework or licensing for social media and Internet messaging services, which comes into effect January 1.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the matter was agreed upon by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Cabinet members.
“The date of January 1, 2025, for the licensing of social media and Internet messaging systems to take effect will remain. There will be no shift or change in the date,” he said at a press conference here today.
He said the two services that would be licensed are social media and internet messaging systems, excluding apps.
On Monday, the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), representing major internet and technology companies, urged the government to halt and carefully reconsider the licensing plan for social media platforms.
The AIC, which includes Google, Meta, Amazon, and Grab, sent a letter of protest dated August 23 to the prime minister.
The framework to licence social media and Internet messaging services was approved by the Cabinet on March 8.
On July 27, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission announced all social media and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for a Class Licence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) starting January 1.
Failure to obtain a licence after the effective date is an offence, and legal action may be taken under Act 588.
— Bernama
