ONLINE NEWS: SOCIAL MEDIA LICENCES COULD TAME ONLINE BEHAVIOUR, SAY EXPERTS

The Star
Social media licences could tame online behaviour, say experts
By GERARD GIMINO | 1 August 2024

PETALING JAYA: Laws to regulate social media and Internet messaging services can encourage responsible online behaviour, say experts following the government’s proposal to better regulate the sector.

Cybersecurity expert Assoc Prof Dr M. Selvakumar said the laws, which aim to curb harmful content, online fraud and cyberbullying, can also raise cyber awareness among users.

“For example, the inclusion of a ‘kill switch’ provision allows for the immediate removal of harmful content, demonstrating a proactive approach to mitigating online risks,” said Selvakumar of Universiti Sains Malaysia.

“Additionally, they encourage responsible behaviour among users that particularly benefits the young and vulnerable,” he said.

He said the government must balance its aim to reduce the negative effects of social media with the need to protect freedom of speech.

“Successful implementation needs collaboration among social media platforms, messaging apps, government agencies, Internet service providers, and users to create a secure and respectful online environment for all Malaysians,” he said.

While acknowledging concerns about potential restrictions to freedom of expression, he said holding platforms accountable, enforcing legal compliance, and enabling rapid responses to threats will significantly combat cybercrime and protect users.

Last week, the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that starting from Aug 1, all social media services and Internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for a Class Licence.

Only the platforms must have a licence while their users need not do so.

Cybersecurity expert Fong Choong Fook said while licensing social media platforms will help fight cybercrime and cyberbullying, the biggest challenge will be whether enforcement agencies are well versed in the regulations.

“Users must know about the framework so they know their rights, compliance requirements needed from the platforms, and how users can complain when there are violations,” said Fong, who founded and heads a local cybersecurity firm.

“The government should work closer with social media platforms and foster better working relationships,” he said.

Malaysian Digital Economy Consumer Association honorary secretary Muhammad Shaani Abdullah said social media platforms had morphed from interaction mediums into political and social weapons.

“Hence, these platforms, regardless of how large, should be subject to national laws,” he said.

Muhammad Shaani also pointed out the spate of anonymous users uploading unverified information online.

“Negligence in effectively monitoring and moderating postings on platforms will happen unless they are subject to national laws through licensing,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim expressed concerns that the new proposal may result in unintended consequences, including silencing critics.

“As an MP that strongly supports the current Federal Government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, I wish to state that I object to any move to curb media freedom,” he said.

Hassan said Anwar, who is a reformist Prime Minister, must firstly fulfil his coalition’s electoral promises to repeal or amend draconian laws, including the Sedition Act, Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma), and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

“These are all our promises to the voters and people, and we have always said we will fight for more democratic spaces for our citizens,” said Hassan of Pakatan Harapan, the coalition that Anwar leads.