Malaysia: Online Safety Act including content moderation authority governance enters into force

On 1 January 2026, the Online Safety Act 2025, including content moderation authority governance, enters into force. The Act applies to licensed service providers, including Application Service Providers (ASPs), Content Application Service Providers (CASPs), and Network Service Providers (NSPs). The Act requires service providers to implement risk-based safety measures, child protection safeguards, and reporting mechanisms. The Act establishes an Online Safety Committee to oversee and regulate online content, alongside an Online Safety Appeal Tribunal to adjudicate disputes and appeals arising from enforcement actions and decisions. It sets out procedures for reporting harmful content and grants the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) powers to implement and enforce its provisions. The Minister of Communications is authorised to issue enforcement directions. Authorities are empowered to investigate non-compliance and impose financial penalties or other enforcement measures in accordance with the Act.