Malaysia: Adopted Communications and Multimedia (Licensing) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 (P.U. (A) 205/2024)

On 1 August 2024, the Minister of Communications adopted the Communications and Multimedia (Licensing) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024. In particular, the regulation requires social media service and internet messaging service providers to obtain a class license under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) in order to operate within the country. Social media services are defined as applications that use the Internet to enable two or more users to create, upload, share, disseminate, or modify content. Similarly, Internet messaging services are applications that use the Internet to allow a user to communicate messages with another user. The regulation will enter into force on 1 January 2025. Furthermore, the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) stated that during the grace period until 31 December 2024, it will adopt guidelines covering ethical and conduct requirements, including user data protection, age verification, online harm mitigation, and content moderation.