PUTRAJAYA, Aug 27 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will conduct a public inquiry on the proposed licensing requirements for social media and internet messaging service providers.
In a statement today, MCMC announced the inquiry will ensure the final framework is fair, effective, and meets the needs of the industry and the public.
It added that since the Cabinet approved the framework on March 8, engagements with a broad spectrum of stakeholders including service providers, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and law enforcement agencies have also been held.
“These ongoing engagements have been vital in developing a regulatory framework that addresses the needs and concerns of all parties,” it said.
MCMC said the licensing requirement for social media and internet messaging service providers with at least eight million registered users was introduced as a key step towards a safer online environment, including in addressing issues of online gambling, scams, and pornography.
“The regulatory framework was designed to ensure the online ecosystem remains open, secure, and trustworthy for all users while encouraging innovation and investment.
“..The formulated class licence application threshold applies to the service providers and the end users require no registration,” it said.
MCMC said a five-month grace period had been given to all platforms to comply with the licensing requirements. It will actively engage with service providers to facilitate the smooth transition into the framework by January 1, next year.
“Considering this, MCMC urges service providers to make every effort to ensure their operations align with local laws and regulations,” it added.
In a similar development, the MCMC today reprimanded industry group Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), for claiming it represents several tech companies listed in its letter to the prime minister calling for a “pause” in the implementation of the social media and internet messaging licensing.
The regulatory body noted the letter had been updated twice with multiple company logos included in the first version but omitted in the revised one.
The MCMC was responding to the fact that Grab Malaysia denied it was consulted on the issuance of the letter by AIC.
In view of this development, the MCMC asked AIC to prove it had authorisation from the involved companies when issuing the letter, dated August 23, and signed by its managing director Jeff Paine.
“Kindly provide the MCMC with this authorisation immediately so we may fully understand subsequent developments that, in this letter, we find difficult to comprehend,” said the MCMC in a letter addressed to the AIC today.
The MCMC also denied allegations that AIC was not consulted on the licensing framework, as the regulatory body’s records show the AIC was duly engaged at a session held on May 28.
It reiterated that service providers have a legal responsibility to protect users and ensure users comply with Malaysian law when operating in the Malaysian sovereign digital space, adding that there is no reason licensing requirements and business operations cannot coexist for the benefit of the people.
— Bernama
