KUALA LUMPUR – There are no plans to ban TikTok and other social media platforms in Malaysia, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
However, the government, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, is currently considering several measures to enhance online safety, particularly for children.
Online threats to children include pornography on social media sites and the online sale of products that should not be available for purchase, he said.
“In Malaysia, the government has no plans to ban any social media platforms, but better cooperation is needed with these sites to address several concerns that are currently under consideration by the ministry,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
He was replying to Onn Abu Bakar (Batu Pahat-PH), who asked whether the government intended to shut down TikTok or any other potentially harmful social media platforms, such as in the United States, where a ban on TikTok is currently being considered.
It was reported that the Republican-controlled House of Representatives advanced a bill last Thursday that could lead to a US-wide ban against TikTok on all electronic devices, renewing lawmakers’ challenge to one of the world’s most popular social media apps and highlighting unresolved fears that TikTok may pose a Chinese-government spying risk.
The measure, which unanimously passed through the House Energy and Commerce Committee, aims to prohibit TikTok from US app stores unless the social media platform, utilised by approximately 170 million Americans, is swiftly separated from its China-linked parent company, ByteDance.
Fahmi said that the decision to ban the use of TikTok in the US revolved more around the issue of data ownership than the app itself.
“If we examine the countries that have prohibited its use, there are varying scenarios that they aim to address with TikTok. In India, for instance, TikTok was shut down five to six years ago.
“In China, TikTok is banned; instead, a different application called Douyin is used. While in the US, the concern goes beyond the app itself, focusing more on the aspect of data ownership. Therefore, ownership is what is being questioned in the US,” he said.
Fahmi said earlier that it was also important for parents to monitor and supervise their children’s online activities.
“Children can benefit from positive content by browsing social media together with their parents or guardians.
“Parents or guardians need to take their role in digital parenting seriously and be aware of exploring content and alternative platforms available online,” he said.
He also noted that the majority of social media platforms enforce age restrictions, permitting only individuals aged 13 and above to create accounts.
Further, he said that the ministry had been working with service providers in the country to enhance parental-control tools for monitoring and managing children’s online activities. – March 13, 2024