Malaysia Secures Court Order Against Telegram Over Harmful Content Allegations
Malaysia has obtained a temporary court order against messaging platform Telegram and two of its channels for allegedly spreading content that violates national laws.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said Thursday that the order was granted due to Telegram’s “serious failure to address content that has been repeatedly reported to it.”
The two Telegram channels named in the case are “Edisi Siasat” and “Edisi Khas.” According to the MCMC, the content shared on these channels could “undermine public trust in national institutions and disrupt societal harmony.”
A Malaysian high court issued an interim injunction to stop the dissemination of the alleged harmful content and to prevent similar content from being republished.
The MCMC did not specify the nature of the content in question.
Telegram has not responded publicly to the court order.
The commission stated that Telegram will be given a fair chance to present its defence, in accordance with principles of justice and fundamental rights.
In January, Malaysia enacted a new law requiring social media and messaging platforms with over 8 million users in the country to obtain a licence or face legal consequences.
The law aims to combat rising cybercrime and harmful online content.
Malaysian authorities classify online gambling, scams, child pornography and grooming, cyberbullying, and content related to race, religion and royalty as harmful.
Malaysia obtained a court order against Telegram and two of its channels
Authorities cited failure to act on reported harmful content
The content allegedly threatens public trust and societal harmony
Source: REUTERS
