KUALA LUMPUR – The Communications Ministry is objecting to social media platform X’s new policy to allow nudity and adult content.
Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-PH) told the Dewan Rakyat today that an official letter has been sent to X, and the ministry is awaiting a response.
She said the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has also been working together with various enforcement agencies including police and the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to combat “dark side” activities promoting adult content on the web, especially social media.
“Between January 1 and June 1, MCMC has asked for social media platforms – including X and Telegram – to take down posts that are against the law, including 308 obscene content and 838 prostitution-related content.
“MCMC has also blocked 549 obscene websites and 69 prostitution websites, while seven cases are still under the commissioner’s investigation,” she said when answering Datuk Siti Aminah Aching (Beaufort–PN) who had asked about the government’s efforts to curb obscene content and soliciting for prostitution on the internet.
Earlier this month, X announced its new policy allowing adult content – which has never previously been banned on the platform, even when it was Twitter – as long as the content is labelled as such.
Under the new policy, posting adult content is formally within the rules as long as it is labelled and not prominently displayed, such as in profile pictures or account banners.
Accounts that regularly post adult content will be required to automatically mark their image and video posts as sensitive content.
Adult content will also be prohibited for users identified as children or adult users who choose not to view it.
The policy extends to AI-generated content, animations, cartoons, and anime.
Teo also said the ministry and MCMC are open to working with civil society and non-governmental organisations on policies to curb “dark side” activities.
She said even opposition lawmakers are welcome to approach the ministry with input on how to fight obscene content on the internet.
“We do not want to work in silos, as we want to involve the community, especially NGOs that have expertise in this issue, to ensure that guidelines are effective and appropriate,” she said when replying to a supplementary question by Datuk Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya (Pokok Sena-PN). – June 24, 2024