THE government’s recent move to introduce new laws for social media and internet messaging services is undoubtedly a strategic move toward tackling the spread of internet-related crimes and harmful information. In fact, their introduction is both timely and inevitable.
The laws, aimed at ensuring a safer space for all Malaysians, will certainly help enforcement agencies address the many challenges posed by social media and digital technology.
These include issues such online scam and fraud, cyber-bullying, the spread of misinformation and the amplification of hate speech.
Their introduction is timely and inevitable, because every day, we hear about the cyber and digital space being exploited to harm others, leading to incidents of suicide or used as a tool exploit minors for sex trafficking.
According to the latest news, many Malaysians have also been cheated online through social media platforms resulting in losses amounting to more than RM2.5 billion.
Of course, we cannot deny that the rise of social media and digital technology has also brought about many positive developments. It has significantly impacted our daily lives, changing how we communicate and perform tasks.
Take communication as an example. Unlike before, we can now easily connect with friends and family across the globe in real time through platforms like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Social media and digital technology have also transformed the way we perform tasks such as shopping, banking, working, conducting research and studying. All these tasks have become more convenient with online services and applications.
For instance, e-commerce platforms allow us to shop from the comfort of our homes or anywhere while on the move and mobile banking applications enable quick and secure financial transactions.
As for work, these advancements enable us to work remotely, with telecommuting made possible via digital tools and communication platforms like Zoom and Google Meet, offering flexibility and new opportunities for work-life balance.
The education sector has also been transformed with e-learning platforms and virtual classrooms, making knowledge more accessible to a wider audience.
Overall, social media and Internet messaging have greatly improved our lives in many positive ways.
However, at the same time, it also presents many challenges. Our biggest concern is that the internet is also full of misinformation, fake news, and harmful content that can lead to real-world consequences.
By implementing these new regulations, the government can help reduce the spread of false information and protect public health and safety.
These laws could also enhance monitoring and regulatory measures, helping enforcement agencies detect and prevent the exploitation of social media and messaging services by unscrupulous individuals for illegal activities, including drug dealing, and terrorism.
But, why are there objections from various quarters? From my conversation with several individuals, many agreed with me and recognised the need for these new and well-intentioned regulations.
Their biggest fear is that the new laws might also lead to intrusion of individual privacy issues and freedom of speech, if not effectively enforced.
There is also the risk of potential abuses of power or unauthorised access to personal information if data collection and surveillance are misused.
The Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in a statement on July 27, said that all social media and Internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for a Class Licence beginning Aug 1. The enforcement of the regulatory requirement is effective on Jan 1 next year.
But despite the objections, I truly support the implementation of the new regulations. The key is for the government to take positive steps or develop a more convincing mechanism to ensure they are implemented effectively.
The government must carefully consider these issues and engage in transparent dialogue with stakeholders, including tech companies, civil society, and the public before implementing them.
This will help ensure that the regulations are balanced, effective and respectful of fundamental rights.
