A TOTAL of 197 posts on various social media platforms were removed for unethical use of the medium in January this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. 

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said of the total, 101 were TikTok posts. 

He said there were three methods used by social media platform providers to cut such content. 

“The first method is to use artificial intelligence technology that automatically detects and takes down content if it is found to violate community guidelines. 

“The second is through reports from social media users, and the third is by request from enforcement agencies or bodies. 

“So far, the Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD) has not applied to close or block any user’s social media account, but has only taken down the content,” he said in reply to Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju-PH) during question time. 

Zahir had wanted to know what the government was doing to deal with users who uploaded content that violated the law such as causing racial disharmony. 

To another question on KKD’s short-, medium- and long-term policies on misused social media apps, Fahmi said the implementation of the short-term policy involved operational aspects of monitoring and enforcement on a case-by-case basis. 

“The policy will be adopted and the strengthening of cooperation with platform providers including TikTok and other social sites owned by Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and Twitter will be done through a co-regulatory framework. 

“The medium- and long-term approaches, on the other hand, will include review and amendments to the existing laws to ensure they are always relevant and practical, taking into account the current situation,” he said. 

Fahmi also gave assurance that freedom of expression would continue and would be strengthened under the unity government, but stressed that it did not mean that any party could spread lies and false information. – Bernama, February 14, 2023.