The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced on Jan. 1 that the country’s social media operating license framework has officially taken effect, as reported by Chinese media outlet Jiemian. According to MCMC, WeChat and TikTok obtained their licenses before the Dec. 31, 2024, deadline, while Telegram’s application is still in the final stages. Meta has also initiated the licensing process and is expected to complete it soon. In July 2023, MCMC mandated that all social media and internet platforms with more than 8 million registered users in Malaysia apply for operating licenses between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31. Platforms failing to comply by Jan. 1, 2025, would face potential legal action and would be barred from operating in the country, the authority said. MCMC noted that social media platform X, formerly Twitter, has reported it does not meet the user threshold of 8 million in Malaysia. X reported having 5.71 million users in Malaysia as of early 2024. Meanwhile, Google raised questions regarding the classification of its video-sharing feature under the licensing framework. MCMC said it has reviewed Google’s concerns and will ensure that YouTube, along with all platforms meeting the licensing criteria, complies with the framework’s obligations. [Jiemian, in Chinese]
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