Malaysia Grants Licenses to WeChat and TikTok Under New Social Media Law
Malaysia requires licenses for social media giants like WeChat and TikTok.
Matilda
Malaysia Grants Licenses to WeChat and TikTok Under New Social Media Law
Malaysia has recently taken a significant step towards regulating social media platforms by granting licenses to WeChat and TikTok under a newly implemented law. This move aims to address the escalating concerns surrounding cybercrime and the spread of harmful content online. The New Social Media Law The law, which came into effect on January 1st, 2025, mandates that social media platforms and messaging services with over 8 million users in Malaysia obtain a license to operate within the country. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in legal action. Key Developments: WeChat and TikTok Granted Licenses: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has confirmed that Tencent's WeChat and ByteDance's TikTok have successfully obtained the necessary licenses. Telegram in Final Stages: The messaging platform Telegram is currently in the final stages of securing its license. Meta Platforms Initiated Licensing Process: Meta Platforms, the parent company of F…