Malaysia Urges TikTok for Age Verification Amid Content Concerns
- tech360.tv
- Sep 5
- 1 min read
Malaysia has urged video-sharing platform TikTok to implement age verification for users. This follows a meeting where Malaysian authorities expressed dissatisfaction with the platform's efforts to curb harmful content.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil stated he was "very dissatisfied" with TikTok's current content moderation. He indicated the platform would collaborate with authorities to resolve the issue.
Mr. Fadzil emphasised the need for an age verification mechanism. He said TikTok, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and police would study this requirement.
Malaysia is increasing its scrutiny of social media organisations due to a sharp rise in harmful online content. Since Jan., a new law mandates platforms and messaging services with over 8 million users in Malaysia to obtain a licence.
Mr. Fadzil added that authorities would not hesitate to penalise companies if necessary. Malaysia defines harmful content to include online gambling, scams, child pornography and grooming, cyberbullying, and content related to race, religion, and royalty.
The minister also confirmed that representatives from X and Meta Platforms, parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, would be summoned for similar discussions.
Social media's impact on children's mental health is a growing global concern. Australia last year banned children under 16 from using such platforms.
Britain has, since July, required pornography sites and other platforms hosting harmful content to verify users' ages. France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece are jointly testing an age verification app template.
Malaysia has urged TikTok to implement age verification for users.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil expressed dissatisfaction with TikTok's content moderation efforts.
Malaysian authorities plan to summon X and Meta Platforms for similar discussions.
Source: REUTERS
