Kuala lumpur: The implementation of electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) is emerging as a critical measure in Malaysia’s digital framework, aiming to enhance cyber security, minimize online fraud, safeguard children, and restore public trust in digital platforms.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the rise in cybercrime, cyberbullying, and online child exploitation highlights the urgent need for eKYC, which is expected to significantly influence Malaysia by establishing user accountability, eliminating fake accounts, and fostering a safer digital environment. Social media has become a breeding ground for insults and personal attacks, often by users hiding behind anonymous identities, contributing to increasing social issues among school students.
The unregulated digital space has exacerbated cyberbullying, leading to severe consequences such as depression, mental health issues, and even suicide. In Malaysia, there are 33.1 million active social media users, including approximately 10.6 million users under the age of 18. Data from the Student Self-Identity System (SSDM) of the Ministry of Education revealed that 7,681 bullying cases were recorded in 2024, up from 6,528 cases in 2023.
The exposure of teenagers and children to the production and sale of pornographic content on platforms like Telegram and the dark web underscores the need for controlled cyber access. The Malaysian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has committed RM32 million to combat online fraud and cyber threats, including sexual crimes against children, as part of Budget 2026.
Media studies expert Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shafizan Mohamed emphasized that eKYC is a timely initiative by the government, given the prevalence of cybercrime. She noted that eKYC could create a filtration system, making criminals more cautious since they would no longer be able to operate anonymously. The concept of traceability inherent in eKYC ensures that users must provide real identities, reducing the number of fake accounts and complicating the operations of syndicates and scammers.
Dr. Shafizan also highlighted that setting age limits through official documents would make parents more aware of their children’s online activities, while platforms could differentiate between adult and child accounts. The government’s efforts through the Ministry of Communications and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to implement eKYC for social media by the second quarter of 2026 are seen as crucial in enhancing digital security and protecting children.
The initiative will require MyKad, passport, or MyDigital ID for social media registration, increasing user transparency and accountability. This move is expected to reduce digital fraud, combat fake accounts, and support the digital economy’s growth.
eKYC is also anticipated to improve the handling of cyberbullying, threats, defamation, and risky activities involving children, alongside enforcing a minimum age limit of 16 years for social media accounts. Dr. Shafizan, a lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), stated that social media platforms must ensure young users’ safety by implementing age-appropriate algorithms and efficient complaint systems.
Head of the Cyber Security Research Group at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Dr. Mohd Izuan Hafez Ninggal, agreed that eKYC is effective in identifying real individuals behind digital accounts. He stressed that its success hinges on educational support, parental control, and community involvement to prevent misuse by children.
Dr. Mohd Izuan further explained that a robust digital identity through eKYC would significantly impact Malaysia’s security, user confidence, and digital economy development. He noted that making eKYC mandatory depends on system design, data security, governance, and process transparency. He also warned of potential privacy concerns and the need to address unequal access to technology to prevent widening the digital divide.