KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in collaboration with platform providers such as Meta, Telegram, and TikTok, has addressed 2,444 websites and content linked to prostitution since January 2022. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil noted that these efforts involved blocking 279 websites and removing 2,165 pieces of prostitution-related content across various social media platforms.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the highest content removal rate was recorded on Facebook at 46.84 percent, followed by TikTok (30.44 percent) and Telegram (21.20 percent). Fahmi stated that the final decision to remove content rests with the service providers, who assess such requests based on their established community standards. He was addressing a question from Senator Datuk Bobbey Suan concerning the government’s efforts to curb the ‘darkside’ culture and steps to address account operators promoting prostitution on platforms like X and Telegram.
Fahmi highlighted that enforcement
under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) by MCMC complements existing laws, such as Sections 372A, 372B, and 373 of the Penal Code (Act 574), which fall under police jurisdiction to address online prostitution or ‘darkside’ activities. He added that MCMC provides technical assistance, including digital forensic analysis and information, to expedite investigations and assist authorities in gathering necessary evidence. There are also government initiatives to ensure social media platforms take more proactive measures in combating cybercrime trends, including prostitution.
Fahmi mentioned that these efforts are being reinforced through new licensing requirements for service providers, which will take effect in January next year. When questioned about plans to impose age restrictions on social media users, he assured that the government would ensure platform providers implement such measures as part of the upcoming licensing framework. Fahmi emphasized that most platforms already enforce minim
um age requirements, typically set at 13 years, except for WhatsApp, and stated that under the licensing process, they will ensure platforms adopt measures to verify user ages.
Additionally, Fahmi stressed the importance of public awareness, urging parents not to normalize social media use among children under the age of 13.