Home ‘Undesirable’ Facebook content has prompted legal action from Malaysia against Meta

‘Undesirable’ Facebook content has prompted legal action from Malaysia against Meta

The government of Malaysia has threatened to file a lawsuit against Facebook’s parent company, Meta Platforms, for failing to remove illegal or inappropriate material from Facebook. The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is worried about hate speech, harassment, and internet abuse. There have been reports of racism, religious intolerance, impersonation, illegal gambling, and fake endorsements. In the past, requesting that Meta remove the objectionable material resulted in delays and inadequate responses.

The MCMC has emphasized the seriousness of the matter and the widespread interest in Meta’s behavior. The commission has decided to take severe legal action to guarantee public safety, citing weak cooperation by Meta as the reason. Malicious cyber actions, phishing, and content that threatens racial harmony and social stability through telecommunications services are met with a zero-tolerance policy by the Malaysian government.

The complex ethnic and religious makeup of Malaysia makes it difficult to find solutions to the country’s problems. Since the nine ethnic Malay dynasties that rule the country carry such symbolic value for the Malay people, it is illegal to speak ill of the royal family in various countries due to sedition laws. The administration is taking measures to stop violence provocation and the loss of public trust.

The Malaysian government’s goal of having web platforms answer for the content they carry is consistent with the legal action taken against Meta. Similar issues were expressed with Telegram, leading to warnings about the app’s reluctance to cooperate with authorities in resolving user complaints regarding criminal activities like the dissemination of pornography, the sale of illicit drugs, and the promotion of fraudulent investments. After allegations of Telegram scams costing Malaysians around 45 million ringgit ($9.6 million) since January 2020, the government has stressed cybersecurity and consumer safety. Telegram settled on working with the police to tackle crime.

It’s important to note that these events coincide with elections in six different states. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity administration, created after a divisive general election in November, relies heavily on the results of state elections despite the federal government’s limited involvement. The National Alliance, a party led by Muslims and supported by many Malay voters, has emerged as a serious challenger to Anwar in the wake of the 2014 election. Social media users are more vocal in their opposition to Anwar’s leadership within the National Alliance.

First reported on Federal News Network

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Deanna was an editor at ReadWrite until early 2024. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind, Editor in Chief for Calendar, editor at Entrepreneur media, and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.