Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) has endorsed the government's recent decision to mandate identity verification for social media users and restrict access for individuals under the age of 16. The association considers this a necessary step to mitigate risks such as online scams, cyber harassment, and exposure to inappropriate content.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, PPIM issued a statement highlighting the increasing number of cybercrime cases and digital manipulation incidents. The association believes that the government's measures provide a structured approach to balancing technological access with consumer protection, particularly for young users. PPIM expressed support for the age verification requirement implemented for social media account registration, which took effect yesterday.

The new regulations mandate that individuals seeking to register for social media accounts must use an official government-issued identification document, such as a MyKad, passport, or MyDigital ID, for age verification. This requirement affects licensed social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

PPIM acknowledged the enforcement of age verification through the Children's Protection Code (CPC) and the Risk Mitigation Code (RMC) under the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA) as a positive step towards increasing the accountability of digital platform providers. This includes aspects such as content moderation and system security.

The association urged social media platforms to ensure compliance with CPC and RMC requirements by accelerating the implementation of age verification systems and enhancing user safety mechanisms. PPIM also emphasized the importance of safeguarding personal data and ensuring high standards of data security during the implementation of these measures.

PPIM stressed that consumer protection demands a comprehensive approach, involving education, ongoing monitoring, and collaboration among stakeholders. The association hopes that the policy's implementation will be transparent and practical, ultimately benefiting society.