Shanghai: A total of 43,618 scam-related content pieces were removed by social media platforms in the first quarter of this year, according to Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. The removals were initiated at the request of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), with platform providers complying with these applications.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the number of scam-related content taken down has increased significantly every year. In 2023, there were 6,297 cases recorded, which rose to 63,652 in 2024 and 98,503 in 2025. Teo highlighted the importance of collaboration among various parties, including the media, to educate the public on digital literacy, emphasizing that this trend is concerning.

Teo noted that not all takedown requests submitted by MCMC were acted upon by platform providers. Since 2023, a total of 255,931 takedown requests have been issued, with 212,070 requests being complied with. In her speech at the 21st General Assembly of the ASEAN Journalists Federation, Teo stressed that scams, fake news, and deepfakes are growing global challenges, not just local concerns.

She reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against misinformation. This includes establishing clearer standards on the use of artificial intelligence in media content, an initiative aimed at enhancing the integrity of information shared across digital platforms.