Malaysia: Online Safety (Period) Regulations 2025 including content moderation regulation enters into force

On 1 January 2026, the Online Safety (Period) Regulations, including content moderation rules under the Online Safety Act 2025, enter into force. The Regulations apply to licensed application service providers, licensed content application service providers, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (the Commission). They establish prescribed timeframes for content moderation and complaint procedures. Service providers must act promptly on user reports under the Online Safety Regulations 2025, acknowledging reports within 1 hour and providing status updates and assessments within 12 hours. Priority harmful content must be blocked within 24 hours and permanently removed or restored within 1 hour, with user queries answered in 5 days. Harmful content generally must be addressed within 4 hours, blocked within 24 hours, and removed or restored within 12 or 4 hours, depending on the case. The Commission must acknowledge reports within 1 hour, complete assessments within 24 hours, and respond to user inquiries within 7 days. Users have 15 days to challenge dismissed reports or moderation actions and 7 days to access online safety information. Non-compliance by service providers may result in fines up to MYR one million. The Regulations take effect on 1 January 2026.