Social media license plan and ban could restrict freedom of speech, access to information

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia may face perceptions of restricting freedom of speech and access to information from other countries if it shuts down all social media platform providers and internet messaging services that fail to apply for a Class Licence for Application Services when it is fully implemented in the future.

Cybersecurity expert Adlyn Adam Teoh said this was among the negative implications of such a drastic measure.

"This 'kill switch' (shutting down all social media platform providers and internet messaging services that fail to apply for the Class Licence for Application Services) could be seen as a tool for censorship, potentially restricting freedom of speech and access to information.

"Moreover, this new implementation also poses challenges for the businesses involved, as they would have to face additional costs due to the need to obtain a licence.

"This situation will burden social media providers, especially smaller or newer ones.

"This is because many small businesses use social media for marketing, sales, and customer service. Hence, their operations will be affected," she told Sinar recently.

Adlyn was commenting on the implications that might arise if the government takes action to shut down any social media that fails to apply for the Class Licence for Application Services under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced on Saturday that all social media and internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in the country will be required to apply for the Class Licence for Application Services under Act 588.

This measure will take effect on Jan 1, 2025, following the introduction of a new regulatory framework for social media services and internet messaging services starting on Aug 1.

The decision was aimed at combating the rise in cybercrimes, including online fraud, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes against children.

However, Adlyn also believes that licencing social media providers had its own positive aspects.

She said with these measures, it can ensure that these platforms comply with certain standards and regulations, promoting more responsible content and behaviour.

"By designating national critical information infrastructure entities, this law helps protect essential services and infrastructure from cyber threats," she said.

Meanwhile, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin Head of the Research Cluster (Smart Technology and Systems) Associate Professor Dr Azwa Abdul Aziz said the government needs to take a holistic view of the impact of closing all social media platform providers that fail to apply for the licence.

This, he said, was important to ensure that those using these platforms for positive purposes are not affected.

"In general, it is a good measure but at the same time, the government must look at the overall perspective.

"For me, it is a drastic action to curb problems, but at the same time, we need to consider the implications for positive activities.

"For example, the impact on groups using these platforms for educational, business, and other purposes. So these are the issues that need to be considered," he said.

Additionally, Azwa suggests that empowering awareness should be a focus to foster responsible use of social media platforms rather than implementing strict laws.