Licensed social media platforms in Malaysia are now required to implement age verification using official documents, such as MyKad, passports or birth certificates, to ensure that only individuals aged 16 and above can register for an account.
The Ministry of Communications said the requirement is enforced under the Children’s Protection Code (CPC), which came into effect on June 1, 2026.
In a written parliamentary reply published on Tuesday, the ministry said age verification must be conducted using recognised official documents. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is currently monitoring compliance among all licensed social media service providers.
The ministry said MCMC has also issued written notices under Subsection 30(2) of the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866) to social media providers seeking explanations over non-compliance and the implementation of age verification mechanisms.
Under Act 866, licensed service providers found guilty of violating the law can face fines of up to RM1 million, with an additional RM100,000 daily penalty for continuing offences. MCMC may also issue non-compliance notices and impose financial penalties of up to RM10 million.
The ministry was responding to Senator Norhasmimi Abdul Ghani, who asked about the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act and the Children’s Protection Code in protecting children from cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, harmful online content and social media addiction.
On online scams involving paid advertisements, fake accounts and harmful websites, the ministry revealed that 292,102 requests to remove scam-related content and fake accounts were submitted by MCMC between January 1, 2022 and July 31, 2026. Of those, 279,875 requests, or 96 per cent, were successfully acted upon.
For prohibited advertisements, products and services, 20,114 takedown requests were submitted during the same period, with 17,285 pieces of content, or 86 per cent, removed.
The ministry also said 17,418 websites were blocked between January 2022 and July 2026. Of these, 5,103 cases (29 per cent) fell under MCMC’s jurisdiction, while the remaining 12,315 cases (71 per cent) were handled by other enforcement agencies.
According to the ministry, content removal, account suspensions and website blocking are carried out based on complaints received, platform community guidelines and existing Malaysian laws.
Responding to another parliamentary question from Senator Musoddak Ahmad, the ministry said licensed social media platforms are responsible for taking action against fraudulent paid advertisements, including removing content, blocking accounts and sharing advertisers’ information with enforcement authorities when required.
Meanwhile, the ministry said MCMC submitted 14,169 requests to remove content related to race, religion and royalty (3R) between January 1, 2022 and June 30, 2026.
Of that total, 8,750 posts, or 62 per cent, were taken down based on public complaints, platform policies and local legislation.
During the same period, MCMC investigated 462 cases under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) involving 3R-related offences. So far, 22 cases have been prosecuted, with 16 cases concluded and six still pending before the courts.
