Malaysia weighs LinkedIn’s need for a social media licence
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The MCMC has been asked to review whether LinkedIn has more than the licensing threshold of eight million users in Malaysia.
PHOTO: PIXABAY
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PUTRAJAYA – Malaysia is studying whether LinkedIn Corp will require a social media licence to continue operating in Malaysia as the government seeks to broaden internet controls.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he has asked the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to review whether LinkedIn has more than the licensing threshold of eight million users in Malaysia and if they are considered a social media platform.
“We may contact LinkedIn,” Mr Fahmi said at a briefing on Jan 8 in Putrajaya.
Malaysia joins efforts by governments across Asia to clamp down on online platforms and hold Big Tech firms accountable for illegal content.
From Kuala Lumpur to New Delhi and Canberra, officials are increasingly looking for ways to regulate or curtail social media
The requirement for a social media licence was effective in 2025 and is meant to combat rising cases of cybercrime, including online fraud and gambling, as well as cyberbullying and sexual crimes against children, according to MCMC.
ByteDance’s TikTok, Telegram and Tencent’s WeChat have already received their social media licences, according to Mr Fahmi.
Meta Platforms – which owns WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram – is still in the process of submitting follow-up documents to authorities, and a licence is expected to be issued to them “very soon”, he said.
Malaysia’s government is still in discussions with Mr Elon Musk’s X and Alphabet’s YouTube on whether both platforms need licences to continue operating in the country.
Mr Fahmi said X has denied it has more than eight million users, while YouTube said it does not fit into the definition of social media.
YouTube Shorts – a product within YouTube – is similar though to TikTok, Mr Fahmi said. “There are elements of sharing, commenting,” he said.
Malaysian authorities are checking if YouTube can explain how many users they have and whether they plan to hive off YouTube Shorts to a different application soon, he said.
“We are giving them a little time,” said Mr Fahmi. “If there is any content that breaks the law, we are still able to contact the platforms for further action.” BLOOMBERG
