KUALA LUMPUR: Four prominent social media and messaging service providers have taken significant steps towards compliance with Malaysia's new regulatory framework, applying for licenses to operate in the country, as announced by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Tencent, the company behind WeChat, has already secured an Applications Service Provider Class (ASP(C)) license, making it the first to be licensed under the new system.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, ByteDance, which operates TikTok, has also successfully obtained its license. Telegram is nearing completion of the licensing process and is expected to receive approval soon. Meanwhile, Meta, which manages Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has begun the process of acquiring the necessary licenses to continue operations in Malaysia, with expectations for a swift conclusion.

However, both X, previously known as Twitter, and Google, which runs YouTube, have not yet submitted their applications. The MCMC statement noted that X has claimed its user base in Malaysia does not meet the threshold of eight million users required for licensing. MCMC is currently verifying these claims and plans to continue discussions with X to evaluate its status.

The licensing requirements, now in effect, reflect the Malaysian government's focus on enhancing online safety and user protection, particularly for children and vulnerable groups, while also improving regulatory oversight for service providers in the country. MCMC has commended the proactive compliance efforts by service providers, highlighting the importance of adhering to these new regulations to foster a secure online environment for all Malaysians.