Malaysia: Online Safety Bill including content moderation regulation received royal assent

On 6 May 2025, the King of Malaysia signed the Online Safety Bill into law as the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866). The Act regulates the dissemination of harmful online content, including child sexual abuse material, financial fraud, harassment, incitement to violence or terrorism, and other harmful categories. Content related to child sexual abuse and financial fraud is designated as "priority harmful content" and is subject to additional regulation. Application service providers (ASPs) and content access service providers (CASPs) are required to implement measures to reduce user exposure to harmful content, including robust content moderation, child-specific safeguards, and tools for users to manage their safety, such as communication restrictions, reporting mechanisms, and assistance channels. Platforms must also restrict children’s access to harmful content by limiting communication with adults, regulating recommendation systems, addressing addictive features, and protecting personal data. Providers must submit an Online Safety Plan to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and make it publicly available to ensure compliance, transparency, and accountability. The Act's commencement is subject to a date appointed by the Minister of Communications via Gazette notification.