Govt Studying Use Of eKYC For Social Media Users Under Three Key Laws - Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The government is studying the proposed use of the electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) identity verification for social media applications under three key laws, including the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866), said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the other two laws are the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) and the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709).

“We have our legal framework and authority, and we respect due process. Therefore, I have instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to look into the matter in detail.

“While we continue working to improve 5G access and deliver fast, affordable internet, we must also save lives, protect property, and ensure a safer online environment, especially for children and families,” Fahmi said when winding up the debate on the 2026 Supply Bill (Budget 2026) for the Communications Ministry at the Dewan Rakyat today.

It was reported that the minister had proposed making it mandatory for social media platforms and online applications to adopt eKYC systems to verify users’ ages and identities, primarily to protect children under 13 years old and combat online fraud.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said that from January 2022 to Oct 15 this year, MCMC has submitted 1,521 requests to online platforms to remove offensive or extreme content involving children, with 96 per cent of the content successfully taken down in accordance with community guidelines and relevant local laws.

“During the same period, MCMC submitted 2,881 takedown requests for pornographic content, of which 88 per cent or 2,535 items were removed.

“During the same period, 4,070 pornographic websites were also blocked by platform providers upon MCMC’s requests,” he said.

On whether the government would consider offering incentives for local films that achieve international success, Fahmi said he would ask the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) to study the proposal.

Apart from that, he said that Malaysia will leverage its diplomatic influence after chairing ASEAN 2025 to further promote local films across the region.

“With ASEAN 2025 concluded, and the diplomatic networks we’ve built through that process, I believe there are many opportunities we can follow up on. I intend to strengthen cooperation with my ASEAN counterparts to advance regional collaboration,” he added.

-- BERNAMA