Social media licence offers key advantages

The licensing of social media services, set to take effect on Jan 1 next year, has various advantages in ensuring safety and responsibility on digital platforms.

However, this action will face challenges in terms of cost, freedom of speech and innovation.

Its implementation required a balanced approach to ensure that the regulations imposed can protect users without hindering technological development.

Therefore, the authorities played an important role in carefully planning and implementing the regulations, taking into account the interests of all parties involved.

The Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that all social media and Internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in the country must apply for a Class Licence for the Provision of Application Services under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).

It stated that failure to obtain the license after the effective date would be an offence and appropriate legal action could be taken under the Act.

On Tuesday, the commission also announced that it would conduct a public inquiry regarding the planned licensing measures for social media and the framework for internet messaging service providers.

This inquiry was being conducted to ensure that the final framework was fair, effective and reflected the needs of both the industry and the public.

Thus, the government may offer advantages such as assured user safety, allowing the authorities to set regulations regarding the types of content published on social media platforms.

This measure could reduce the spread of harmful content such as fake news, pornography, violence, or cyberbullying.