Kuala Lumpur: Social media giant Facebook reportedly generated between USD15 billion and USD20 billion in online advertising revenue across the ASEAN region last year, according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. The estimated revenue includes ads suspected to promote scams and online gambling targeting approximately 670 million users in the region.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi highlighted that Facebook's revenue in Malaysia alone was around RM2.5 billion last year. He expressed concerns over the nature of the advertisements, stating, "Many of the ads they display are scam ads promoting fake investments or so-called 'magical' products available at very low prices. There's no control over this." Fahmi added that his team recently identified drug and vape sales activities within Facebook groups.

Fahmi further stated that Facebook has not yet complied with the government's initiative for social media platform licensing, enforced earlier this year. "They still refuse to be licensed under the licensing system we announced. They are unwilling to cooperate in several areas," he remarked, emphasizing the need for regulatory oversight.

The licensing initiative, under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), aims to enhance online safety, protect users, and strengthen control over internet messaging service providers and social media platforms. Additionally, the Parliament passed the Online Safety Act (OnSA) 2024 last December, which is set to be enforced soon.

Fahmi stressed the importance of compliance with OnSA, stating, "With the enforcement of OnSA, social media platforms like Facebook will be required to comply. Issues such as paedophile groups and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) must be eliminated from these platforms, and those involved must be brought to justice."