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

On 1 January 2025, the Communications and Multimedia (Licensing) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations enter into force. 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. Furthermore, the providers are required to comply with the Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) ethical and conduct requirements, which include measures concerning user data protection, age verification, online harm mitigation, and content moderation.