Kuala lumpur: All advertisers using sponsored advertisements on social media platforms will be required to verify identities in a bid to curb online fraud, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said. She stated that this measure, which also targets digital gambling activities and the misuse of prominent individuals' identities, is among the new responsibilities under the Risk Mitigation Code (RMC).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the code will come into force tomorrow under the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA) and will apply to social media platform providers classified as licensees, specifically those with more than eight million users in Malaysia. 'We have seen many sponsored posts using the images of well-known individuals to promote content such as dubious investments, financial scams, and online gambling, and so far it has been difficult to take action because we do not know who actually paid for the advertisements,' she said.
Teo communicated these insights to reporters after attending the launch of the Kota Melaka Parliamentary Elected Representative for the People (WRUR) Programme for the Banda Hilir state constituency at Taman Kota Laksamana Cheng Ho. She highlighted that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will require every advertiser, whether an individual or a registered entity, to undergo identity verification by the platform before being allowed to publish sponsored advertisements.
She urged social media platform providers to fully cooperate in complying with the RMC as well as the Child Protection Code (CPC), which will also take effect tomorrow, to ensure the safety of internet users. On the age-verification mechanism that will also commence tomorrow to prevent individuals under the age of 16 from opening social media accounts, Teo explained that official documents such as identity cards or passports will be required for registration purposes.
Teo acknowledged that some parents are still seeking the best approach to convince their children about the safety measures, but mentioned that the majority fully support the initiative. 'Parents are indeed very supportive because they understand that the internet presents many issues such as cyberbullying, sexual abuse, and child grooming, all of which are concerns faced by parents,' she stated.
She concluded by saying that the government will provide a reasonable period for platform providers to fulfill these new responsibilities, but a high level of compliance is expected.