Malaysia: MCMC blocking order against over 10,000 websites aiming to protect the public from online harm

On 8 August 2024, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that it had blocked over 10,000 websites between January 2022 and August 2024 to protect the public, especially vulnerable groups, from online harm. In particular, the majority of these blocked sites were related to online gambling, pornography, copyright infringement, scams, and prostitution. The highest number of blocks occurred in 2021, with a declining trend since then. The MCMC enforces these blocks under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and collaborates with other agencies and local service providers to ensure a safe online environment. The effort aligns with national policy objectives and calls for a holistic approach from society to avoid bypassing these protections, particularly for the safety of children and teenagers.