Malaysia says tech firms must comply with its laws amid backlash over social media licensing
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Under the proposed laws, social media platforms and messaging services with more than eight million users will be required to obtain a licence.
PHOTO: UNSPLASH
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KUALA LUMPUR - Major tech companies must comply with local laws to continue operating in Malaysia, said a minister on Aug 27, after an industry group urged the government to pause a plan that would require social media platforms to apply for a regulatory licence.
The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) – whose members include tech giants Google, Meta and X – had made the call in an open letter to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government was ready to discuss the proposed regulations with the AIC and other industry groups but had no plans to delay the implementation, which was aimed at tackling rising cybercrime.
Under the plan, social media platforms and messaging services with more than eight million users will be required to obtain a licence.
“Big tech companies are big but our laws are bigger. If they want to operate in Malaysia, they must respect and comply with our laws,” Mr Fahmi told reporters.
He added that earlier engagements with representatives of social media firms about the plan had been positive.
The AIC letter, dated Aug 23, was taken down from its website on Aug 26.
Ride-hailing firm Grab, also a member of the group, said separately on the same day that it had not been consulted on the letter’s contents.
A new version of the letter, dated Aug 26, was posted on AIC’s website with several sentences removed, including a reference to the government’s plan being “unworkable” for the industry.
The letter also removed a list of the AIC’s member companies, which remains available on its website. REUTERS
