In accordance with a new regulatory framework that became effective on Wednesday ( Jan 1 ), tech giants Google and X have not yet applied for a new class license in Malaysia.
The registration framework was made public in July of last year and was intended to shield users from alleged website harm. Social media and internet communications services in Malaysia with at least eight million registered clients were required to adhere to the new policy.  ,
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) reported that Google, the owner of YouTube, had raised concerns about the video sharing capabilities and its categorization under the licensing model.  ,
The committee stated in a speech on Wednesday that “MCMC has deliberated on the concerns raised and shall ensure that YouTube as well as all important software providers who meet the registration criteria are bound by their duties and responsibilities to adhere to the registration framework.”  ,
In the meantime, X reported to MCMC that the company’s eight million customer base in Malaysia has not yet reached the necessary threshold. In light of this, MCMC stated that it is “actively reviewing the validity of the customer base as stated by X and may continue to hold wedding meetings to examine X’s place.”  ,
Separately, four other significant social media and messaging services have “taken significant steps” to obtain the licenses needed to operate in Malaysia, or are in the process of getting them.  ,
Tencent, which runs WeChat, was the first service provider to receive the Applications Service Provider Class license, according to MCMC. This is followed by social media platform TikTok, owned by another Chinese internet company ByteDance, the commission added.  ,
While Meta, which controls Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is in its “final stages” of the licensing process, Telegram is in its “final stages.”
The commission continued, noting that platform providers found to be in violation of the licensing requirements may be subject to investigation and regulatory action. “MCMC will assess the status of platform providers that have yet to obtain the required licenses.  ,
If a class member doesn’t obtain the class license, they could face a maximum fine of RM500, 000 ( US$ 111, 600 ) in addition to the fines that may apply to those social media platforms and messaging services. Operators could also be fined RM1, 000 for each day they remain unlicensed.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil previously told CNA that Malaysia does not intend to block or ban any social media platforms, saying that the country is an “increasingly important market” for the platforms, which in turn bring “value” to the country.