Malaysia Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA): Difference between revisions
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The '''Online Safety Act 2025''' ('''Act 866''') is Malaysian legislation that came into force on January 1, 2026, requiring social media and messaging platforms with over 8 million Malaysian users to remove harmful content and implement safety measures.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-01-02 |title=Online Safety Act comes into force to protect users |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/02/online-safety-act-comes-into-force-to-protect-users |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107212302/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/02/online-safety-act-comes-into-force-to-protect-users |archive-date=7 Jan 2026|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=The Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yem |first=Carrine |date=2026-01-01 |title=Online Safety Act Kicks In Effective Today |url=https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2026/01/01/online-safety-act-kicks-in-effective-today/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260102010829/https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2026/01/01/online-safety-act-kicks-in-effective-today/ |archive-date=2026-01-02 |website=Business Today}}</ref> The Act targets nine categories of harmful content including child sexual abuse material and financial fraud, with platforms facing fines up to RM10 million for non-compliance. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |url=https://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf2/ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101142253/https://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf2/ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |archive-date=2026-01-01 |website=MCMC}}</ref> Civil society groups have raised concerns about potential censorship and surveillance, while the government maintains the Act targets platform accountability rather than individual users.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |title=Malaysia: Concerns with the Online Safety Bill 2024 |url=https://www.article19.org/resources/malaysia-online-safety-bill/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250810034315/https://www.article19.org/resources/malaysia-online-safety-bill/ |archive-date=10 Aug 2025|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Article 19}}</ref> <!-- Note: Article has loooooooooooooooooots of sentences that reiterate the same point. If there was one way it could be improved, it'd be that first --> | The '''Online Safety Act 2025''' ('''Act 866''') is Malaysian legislation that came into force on January 1, 2026, requiring social media and messaging platforms with over 8 million Malaysian users to remove harmful content and implement safety measures.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-01-02 |title=Online Safety Act comes into force to protect users |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/02/online-safety-act-comes-into-force-to-protect-users |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107212302/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/02/online-safety-act-comes-into-force-to-protect-users |archive-date=7 Jan 2026|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=The Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yem |first=Carrine |date=2026-01-01 |title=Online Safety Act Kicks In Effective Today |url=https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2026/01/01/online-safety-act-kicks-in-effective-today/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260102010829/https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2026/01/01/online-safety-act-kicks-in-effective-today/ |archive-date=2026-01-02 |website=Business Today}}</ref> The Act targets nine categories of harmful content including child sexual abuse material and financial fraud, with platforms facing fines up to RM10 million for non-compliance. <ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |url=https://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf2/ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101142253/https://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf2/ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |archive-date=2026-01-01 |website=MCMC}}</ref> Civil society groups have raised concerns about potential censorship and surveillance, while the government maintains the Act targets platform accountability rather than individual users.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |title=Malaysia: Concerns with the Online Safety Bill 2024 |url=https://www.article19.org/resources/malaysia-online-safety-bill/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250810034315/https://www.article19.org/resources/malaysia-online-safety-bill/ |archive-date=10 Aug 2025|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Article 19}}</ref> <!-- Note: Article has loooooooooooooooooots of sentences that reiterate the same point. If there was one way it could be improved, it'd be that first --> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
Between January and November 2025, Malaysian police recorded RM2.7 billion in reported losses from online scams.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Bernama |date=2025-12-08 |title=Online scams cost Malaysians over RM2.7bil as of November |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/08/online-scams-cost-malaysians-over-rm27bil-as-of-november |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260122015417/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/08/online-scams-cost-malaysians-over-rm27bil-as-of-november |archive-date=22 Jan 2026|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=The Star}}</ref> A UNICEF study identified more than 100,000 children in Malaysia at risk of online sexual exploitation.<ref>{{Cite web |last= | Between January and November 2025, Malaysian police recorded RM2.7 billion in reported losses from online scams.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Bernama |date=2025-12-08 |title=Online scams cost Malaysians over RM2.7bil as of November |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/08/online-scams-cost-malaysians-over-rm27bil-as-of-november |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260122015417/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/08/online-scams-cost-malaysians-over-rm27bil-as-of-november |archive-date=22 Jan 2026|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=The Star}}</ref> A UNICEF study identified more than 100,000 children in Malaysia at risk of online sexual exploitation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beatty |first=Gloria Harry |last2=Salehuddin |first2=Sufea |date=2024-12-02 |title=The growing threat of online child exploitation |url=https://themalaysianreserve.com/2024/12/02/the-growing-threat-of-online-child-exploitation/ |url-status=live |website=The Malaysian Reserve}}</ref><!-- < TMR resists archiving tools --> <!-- Original 404! reference in case it gives context: [404!]. https://www.unicef.org/malaysia/press-releases/unicef-malaysia-online-child-safety-report | ||
--><!-- < Original Sentence: with police operations uncovering hundreds of thousands of files containing child sexual abuse material. [citation needed - Sentence mixes two different sources together?] --> | --><!-- < Original Sentence: with police operations uncovering hundreds of thousands of files containing child sexual abuse material. [citation needed - Sentence mixes two different sources together?] --> | ||
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-->The Act has extra-territorial reach, applying to companies outside Malaysia if they provide services within Malaysia and fall under the licensing framework. <ref>{{Cite book |url=https://lom.agc.gov.my/ilims/upload/portal/akta/outputaktap/2867049_BI/Act%20866-Online%20Safety%20Act%202025.pdf |title=ONLINE SAFETY ACT 2025 - Act 866 |year=2025 |pages=10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911161002/https://lom.agc.gov.my/ilims/upload/portal/akta/outputaktap/2867049_BI/Act%20866-Online%20Safety%20Act%202025.pdf |archive-date=2025-09-11 |url-status=live}}</ref> | -->The Act has extra-territorial reach, applying to companies outside Malaysia if they provide services within Malaysia and fall under the licensing framework. <ref name=":4">{{Cite book |url=https://lom.agc.gov.my/ilims/upload/portal/akta/outputaktap/2867049_BI/Act%20866-Online%20Safety%20Act%202025.pdf |title=ONLINE SAFETY ACT 2025 - Act 866 |year=2025 |pages=10, 39 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911161002/https://lom.agc.gov.my/ilims/upload/portal/akta/outputaktap/2867049_BI/Act%20866-Online%20Safety%20Act%202025.pdf |archive-date=2025-09-11 |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Affected platforms=== | ===Affected platforms=== | ||
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===Enforcement=== | ===Enforcement=== | ||
The Act is overseen by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-01-01 |title=Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission |url=https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/media/press-releases/faq-the-online-safety-act-2025-onsa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101125158/https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/media/press-releases/faq-the-online-safety-act-2025-onsa |archive-date=2026-01-01 |website=MCMC}}</ref> Service providers can face fines up to RM10 million for non-compliance with the Act's requirements. | The Act is overseen by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-01-01 |title=Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission |url=https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/media/press-releases/faq-the-online-safety-act-2025-onsa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101125158/https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/media/press-releases/faq-the-online-safety-act-2025-onsa |archive-date=2026-01-01 |website=MCMC}}</ref> Service providers can face fines up to RM10 million for non-compliance with the Act's requirements.<ref name=":4" /> The Act establishes an Online Safety Appeal Tribunal to handle grievances related to Commission decisions and enforcement actions.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Malaysia Federal Legislation |url=https://lom.agc.gov.my/act-detail.php?act=866&lang=BI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260303072544/https://lom.agc.gov.my/act-detail.php?act=866&lang=BI |archive-date=2026-03-03 |access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref> | ||
==Age verification and under-16 ban== | ==Age verification and under-16 ban== | ||
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Malaysia's position on the World Press Freedom Index dropped from 73rd in 2023 to 107th in 2024, reflecting growing concerns about shrinking civic spaces.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malaysia {{!}} RSF |url=https://rsf.org/en/country/malaysia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128063103/https://rsf.org/en/country/malaysia |archive-date=2026-01-28}}</ref> Digital rights advocates warned that the Act's implementation occurs against a backdrop of declining press freedom and increasing restrictions on online expression.<ref name=":2" /> | Malaysia's position on the World Press Freedom Index dropped from 73rd in 2023 to 107th in 2024, reflecting growing concerns about shrinking civic spaces.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malaysia {{!}} RSF |url=https://rsf.org/en/country/malaysia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128063103/https://rsf.org/en/country/malaysia |archive-date=2026-01-28}}</ref> Digital rights advocates warned that the Act's implementation occurs against a backdrop of declining press freedom and increasing restrictions on online expression.<ref name=":2" /> | ||
Critics argued that the definition of harmful content is broadly worded and open to interpretation, potentially leading platforms to over-censor content to avoid | Critics argued that the definition of harmful content is broadly worded and open to interpretation, potentially leading platforms to over-censor content to avoid the heavy fines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zolkepli |first=Farik |date=2025-12-13 |title=Online Safety Act 2025 welcomed but concerns remain over rights and privacy |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/13/online-safety-act-2025-welcomed-but-concerns-remain-over-rights-and-privacy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260124093758/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/13/online-safety-act-2025-welcomed-but-concerns-remain-over-right |archive-date=2026-01-24 |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=The Star}}</ref> Legal experts noted that terms like "harmful to society" lack precise legal definitions, creating uncertainty for both platforms and users about what content is permissible.<ref name=":13" /> | ||
===Privacy and surveillance=== | ===Privacy and surveillance=== | ||
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===Stop eKYC Petition=== | ===Stop eKYC Petition=== | ||
In November 2025, a Change.org petition titled "Stop eKYC for social media in Malaysia and promote digital literacy" was launched opposing mandatory identity verification requirements for social media users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canary |first=Carol |date=2025-10-28 |title=Stop eKYC for social media in Malaysia and promote digital literacy |url=https://www.change.org/p/stop-ekyc-for-social-media-in-malaysia-and-promote-digital-literacy |url-status=live |archive-date=2026-03-03 |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=Change.org}}</ref> The petition raises several concerns about the eKYC requirement: | In November 2025, a Change.org petition titled "Stop eKYC for social media in Malaysia and promote digital literacy" was launched opposing mandatory identity verification requirements for social media users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canary |first=Carol |date=2025-10-28 |title=Stop eKYC for social media in Malaysia and promote digital literacy |url=https://www.change.org/p/stop-ekyc-for-social-media-in-malaysia-and-promote-digital-literacy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260303085622/https://www.change.org/p/stop-ekyc-for-social-media-in-malaysia-and-promote-digital-literacy |archive-date=2026-03-03 |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=Change.org}}</ref> The petition raises several concerns about the eKYC requirement: | ||
'''Data Breach Risks''': The petition cites international examples of age verification data breaches, including Discord's leak of approximately 70,000 users' identification documents in the UK, which exposed children to doxxing risks and enabled predators to attempt purchasing children's IDs for stalking and potential kidnapping. | '''Data Breach Risks''': The petition cites international examples of age verification data breaches, including Discord's leak of approximately 70,000 users' identification documents in the UK, which exposed children to doxxing risks and enabled predators to attempt purchasing children's IDs for stalking and potential kidnapping. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Malaysian legislation]] | |||
[[Category:Malaysian | |||
[[Category:Malaysia]] | [[Category:Malaysia]] | ||