Meta, the company behind social media services Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, now says Malaysia's plan to require a social media license is still unclear in terms of guidelines, etc.
Previously, in July 2024, the government announced that starting in early 2025, social media and messaging services that have more than 8 million local users will need to have a special license for it. This licensing step is part of an effort to ensure a healthy environment is created in the social media arena, in addition to making the platforms themselves responsible for the various contents shared through their platforms, including fraudulent, gambling, and pornographic content.
At the beginning, the Minister of Communications said this announcement was well received by various parties. However, due to the fact that there are still no clear guidelines, Meta criticized the Malaysian government's move. According to previous announcements, it is said that guidelines and codes of conduct will be shared at the end of October, but there is still no information related to them so far.
The delay in the introduction of guidelines and codes of conduct will also lead to a slower period to apply due to the need to go through various phases, as well as possibly making it difficult for companies to register before the implementation date in January 2025.
Through a Reuters report, Meta representatives were quoted as saying that they have not yet decided to apply for a license or vice versa, due to the lack of clarity regarding it.