Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is investigating potential methods for verifying the minimum age requirement for social media users, set to be enforced in the second half of the year. This initiative aims to establish a minimum age limit of 16 for social media use.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching announced that MCMC has engaged with social media service providers like Meta, Google, and TikTok. These discussions aim to identify the most effective age verification method through a collaborative process involving a regulatory sandbox or testing environment. Teo highlighted that Malaysia already utilizes age verification tools such as identity cards, passports, and MyDigital ID but remains open to considering additional methods.

The government's goal is to ensure all social media platforms implement digital user identity verification (eKYC) by the end of the second quarter of 2026. This move is crucial for enforcing the minimum age requirement of 16 for setting up social media accounts.