Meta opposes Malaysia’s new social media licensing requirements

The tech giant argues the proposal needs to provide more precise guidelines and more time for compliance.
Joelle Pineau, Meta's VP of AI research, will leave the company at the end of May, having led key projects like PyTorch and Llama AI since joining in 2017.

Meta Platforms has expressed concerns over Malaysia’s plan to require social media platforms to obtain regulatory licenses by 1 January 2025. The Malaysian government’s new regulation aims to combat online threats like scams, cyberbullying, and sexual crimes. However, Meta’s director of public policy for Southeast Asia, Rafael Frankel, criticised the timeline, arguing it’s ‘exceptionally accelerated’ and lacks clear guidelines, potentially hindering digital innovation and economic growth.

Malaysia announced in July that any social media or messaging service with over eight million users would need to comply or face legal repercussions. The policy has sparked backlash from industry groups, including Meta, which asked the government in August to reconsider. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil reiterated that tech companies must align with local laws to continue operating in Malaysia, signalling no plans for delay.

Frankel emphasised that Meta has yet to decide whether to apply for the license due to the vague regulatory framework, pointing out that similar regulations typically take years to finalise to avoid stifling innovation. While Malaysia’s communications ministry has yet to comment, Fahmi recently met with Meta representatives, thanking them for their cooperation but urging more action against harmful content, particularly regarding minors.

Meta has stated its shared commitment to online safety and is collaborating with Malaysian authorities to remove harmful content. Frankel argued that Meta already prioritises online safety and doesn’t require a licensing framework. Despite ongoing concerns, Meta hopes to work with the government to find a middle ground on the regulations before implementation.

Why does it matter?

Malaysia’s strict stance on harmful online content comes in response to a rise in social media-related issues. The government has been vocal about requiring platforms like Meta and TikTok to intensify content monitoring, especially around gambling, scams, child protection, cyberbullying, and sensitive topics related to race, religion, and royalty.