Malaysia's freshest news, trending stories and local buzz.
Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Commission has begun enforcing restrictions on social media access for users under 16, requiring major platforms to implement age verification systems and safety features to protect vulnerable young users.
TikTok has agreed to settle three lawsuits from minors claiming social media platforms were deliberately designed to be addictive and damaged their mental health. The move comes as thousands of similar cases proceed against Meta, YouTube, and Snapchat.
Malaysia has removed nearly 100,000 scam-related content items from social media in the first seven months of 2026, surpassing the entire 2025 tally. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching attributed the increase to enhanced enforcement efforts.
Vietnam is developing a draft decree that would restrict children under 16 from posting on social media and limit gaming to one hour daily, requiring parental oversight and age-verification by platforms.
The European Commission has imposed a €890 million penalty on Google for violating digital competition rules, including preferential treatment of its own services on Search and limiting app developer pricing flexibility on Google Play.
Thailand has established an urgent court process to rapidly block and remove illegal online content as criminal URLs explode into the millions. The streamlined procedure aims to respond to threats within hours rather than days.
France has become the first European Union country to ban social media access for children under 15, following overwhelming parliamentary approval. The law takes effect from September for new accounts and January for existing ones.
Malaysia's communications sector kicks off the International Regulatory Conference 2026, a major two-day gathering focused on fortifying the nation's digital regulatory framework against emerging technologies and online safety threats.
More than two dozen countries are now restricting or banning social media access for minors, with Malaysia among those enforcing legislation. Regulators globally cite concerns over child safety and mental health.
Malaysia is navigating the complex terrain of protecting children online while preserving constitutional freedoms, with legal experts emphasizing that effective enforcement matters more than legislation alone.
Twenty-five US Republican lawmakers have written to President Trump requesting aggressive action against the European Union's Digital Markets Act, threatening trade investigations and potential market access restrictions if the bloc continues what they characterise as discriminatory tech policies.
France's parliament is moving quickly to pass legislation banning social media access for children under 15 and restricting mobile phone use in secondary schools, with a final vote scheduled before the summer recess.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has recorded a statement from an individual as part of a joint investigation with police into alleged online content breaching 3R sensitivities involving Negeri Sembilan's ruler.
Malaysia's government has launched a coordinated crackdown on the online spread of Islamic teachings deemed deviant from mainstream Sunni doctrine, involving JAKIM and multiple enforcement agencies across digital and physical platforms.
X has accepted the European Commission's remedial measures to address Digital Services Act violations, including expanded researcher access to platform data and ad content. The agreement does not prevent X from appealing its December fine.
The UK government has announced a default midnight curfew for social media users aged 16-17, blocking access between midnight and 6am unless settings are changed. Tech companies will face legal obligations and potential regulatory penalties.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will convene the International Regulatory Conference 2026 on July 21–22 at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, bringing together global regulators, industry leaders and experts to chart the future of digital governance.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are strengthening collaboration to combat disinformation and harmful online content while improving coordinated crisis communication strategies.
The US Supreme Court has declined to block Texas's App Store Accountability Act, which requires age verification for app downloads. The decision upholds a lower court ruling allowing the controversial law to take effect despite First Amendment concerns.
Malaysia's parliament has passed the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2026, introducing tougher penalties for cartels exploiting technology and strengthening the Malaysia Competition Commission's investigative powers.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed that the government is finalising an Artificial Intelligence Governance Bill designed to work alongside Malaysia's existing cybersecurity and data protection regulatory framework.
Malaysia's Communications Ministry is evaluating whether licensed social media platforms comply with two new safety codes introduced under the Online Safety Act 2025, which took effect in June.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim defended federal funding distribution during parliament's second week, while lawmakers passed significant legislation on child protection, cybercrime, and digital regulation.
Parliament will scrutinise the Online Safety Act 2025's implementation framework, student safety in schools, and emergency aid for micro-enterprises affected by regional supply chain disruptions.
French President Emmanuel Macron and WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus have jointly called for tighter regulation of digital platforms, warning that uncontrolled online environments pose growing risks to children's physical and mental health.
Malaysia's communications regulator has taken down more than 11,600 pieces of deepfake content since 2024 as complaints about AI-generated misinformation surge dramatically. New legislation now requires social media platforms to implement safeguards.