Malaysia Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA): Difference between revisions
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|Description=Malaysian law requiring platforms with 8M+ users to remove harmful content. Critics cite censorship concerns; government says it targets platforms, no | |Description=Malaysian law requiring platforms with 8M+ users to remove harmful content. Critics cite censorship concerns; government says it targets platforms, no | ||
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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=https://archive.is/baPUk |archive-date=2026-02-11 |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=The Star}}</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" /> 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=https://archive.is/lun8S |archive-date=2026-02-11 |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Article 19}}</ref> | 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=https://archive.is/baPUk |archive-date=2026-02-11 |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=The Star}}</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=https://archive.is/lun8S |archive-date=2026-02-11 |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Article 19}}</ref> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
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Based on the 8 million user threshold, major platforms subject to the Act include: | Based on the 8 million user threshold, major platforms subject to the Act include: | ||
*'''Facebook''': With 31.3 million users (88.2% of population)<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Social Media Users in Malaysia - 2025 {{!}} NapoleonCat |url=https://stats.napoleoncat.com/social-media-users-in-malaysia/2025/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | *'''Facebook''': With 31.3 million users (88.2% of population)<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Social Media Users in Malaysia - 2025 {{!}} NapoleonCat |url=https://stats.napoleoncat.com/social-media-users-in-malaysia/2025/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/pZcU4 |archive-date=2026-02-11 |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=NapoleonCat}}</ref> | ||
*'''Instagram''': With 16.3 million users (46% of population)<ref name=":6" /> | *'''Instagram''': With 16.3 million users (46% of population)<ref name=":6" /> | ||
*'''Facebook Messenger''': With 23.8 million users (67.1% of population)<ref name=":6" /> | *'''Facebook Messenger''': With 23.8 million users (67.1% of population)<ref name=":6" /> | ||
*'''LinkedIn''': With 9.9 million users<ref name=":6" /> | *'''LinkedIn''': With 9.9 million users<ref name=":6" /> | ||
Other major platforms including WhatsApp, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Telegram, and WeChat also operate in Malaysia and are understood to exceed the 8 million user threshold.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-01 |title=Enforcement of Online Safety Act takes effect, strengthening online protections for children and families, says MCMC |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/01/enforcement-of-online-safety-act-takes-effect-strengthening-online-protections-for-children-and-families-says-mcmc/203923 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260112004727/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/01/enforcement-of-online-safety-act-takes-effect-strengthening-online-protections-for-children-and-families-says-mcmc/203923 |archive-date=2026-01-12 |website=malaymail}}</ref> | Other major platforms including WhatsApp, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Telegram, and WeChat also operate in Malaysia and are understood to exceed the 8 million user threshold.{{CitationNeeded|reason=generated citation is irrelevant >}} <ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-01 |title=Enforcement of Online Safety Act takes effect, strengthening online protections for children and families, says MCMC |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/01/enforcement-of-online-safety-act-takes-effect-strengthening-online-protections-for-children-and-families-says-mcmc/203923 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260112004727/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/01/enforcement-of-online-safety-act-takes-effect-strengthening-online-protections-for-children-and-families-says-mcmc/203923 |archive-date=2026-01-12 |website=malaymail}}</ref> | ||
===Categories of harmful content=== | ===Categories of harmful content=== | ||
The Act identifies nine categories of harmful content that platforms must address, including child sexual abuse material, financial fraud, harassment, incitement to violence or terrorism, and other harmful categories. | The Act identifies nine categories of harmful content that platforms must address, including child sexual abuse material, financial fraud, harassment, incitement to violence or terrorism, and other harmful categories. Child sexual abuse and financial fraud are designated as "priority harmful content" subject to additional regulation and faster response requirements.<ref name=":0" /> <!-- < Page 3 of the FAQ. Not sure if this should be cited as Book --> | ||
===Platform obligations=== | ===Platform obligations=== | ||
Licensed providers must implement measures to reduce user exposure to harmful content, issue safety guidelines, provide online safety tools, provide user support mechanisms, and establish reporting channels for harmful content. | Licensed providers must implement measures to reduce user exposure to harmful content, issue safety guidelines, provide online safety tools, provide user support mechanisms, and establish reporting channels for harmful content. Platforms must submit an Online Safety Plan to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and make it publicly available.<ref name=":0" /><!-- Page 2, #5 --> | ||
They must also implement child-specific safeguards including limiting communication between children and adults, regulating recommendation systems to prevent harmful content exposure, addressing addictive design features, and protecting children's personal data.<ref name=":7" /> | They must also implement child-specific safeguards including limiting communication between children and adults, regulating recommendation systems to prevent harmful content exposure, addressing addictive design features, and protecting children's personal data.{{CitationNeeded|reason=generated citation is irrelevant >}} <ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2025/12/31/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-online-safety-act-2025 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
===Enforcement=== | ===Enforcement=== | ||
The Act is overseen by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).<ref name=":1" /> Service providers can face fines up to RM10 million for non-compliance with the Act's requirements. <ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/01/online-safety-act-2025-comes-into-effect |url-status=dead}}</ref>The Act establishes an Online Safety Appeal Tribunal to handle grievances related to Commission decisions and enforcement actions.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title= |url=https://lom.agc.gov.my/act-view.php?language=eng&type=act&no=866&year=2025}}</ref> | The Act is overseen by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=[525]\[404] |first= |title= |url=https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/media/press-releases/online-safety-act-2025 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Service providers can face fines up to RM10 million for non-compliance with the Act's requirements. <ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/01/online-safety-act-2025-comes-into-effect |url-status=dead}}</ref>The Act establishes an Online Safety Appeal Tribunal to handle grievances related to Commission decisions and enforcement actions.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title= |url=https://lom.agc.gov.my/act-view.php?language=eng&type=act&no=866&year=2025}}</ref> | ||
==Age verification and under-16 ban== | ==Age verification and under-16 ban== | ||