Malaysia has called on TikTok to implement age verification for its users after summoning the platform’s top management over concerns about harmful online content.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he was dissatisfied with TikTok’s efforts but added that the company would work with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and police to develop a verification mechanism. He warned that authorities would not hesitate to penalize social media firms that fail to comply with local regulations.
TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, has not commented on the request. Malaysia also plans to summon representatives from X and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, for similar discussions.
The move comes amid a sharp rise in harmful content online. Since January, platforms with more than 8 million users in Malaysia have been required to obtain a license. Harmful content is defined to include online gambling, scams, child exploitation, cyberbullying, and content related to race, religion, and royalty.
Several countries, including Britain and EU members, have already introduced or tested age verification measures for online platforms to protect children.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he was dissatisfied with TikTok’s efforts but added that the company would work with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and police to develop a verification mechanism. He warned that authorities would not hesitate to penalize social media firms that fail to comply with local regulations.
TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, has not commented on the request. Malaysia also plans to summon representatives from X and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, for similar discussions.
The move comes amid a sharp rise in harmful content online. Since January, platforms with more than 8 million users in Malaysia have been required to obtain a license. Harmful content is defined to include online gambling, scams, child exploitation, cyberbullying, and content related to race, religion, and royalty.
Several countries, including Britain and EU members, have already introduced or tested age verification measures for online platforms to protect children.
