THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will initiate legal action against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, for failing to cooperate in removing undesirable contents from its platform. 

MCMC said despite its repeated requests, Meta has failed to take sufficient action to address the issue of undesirable contents on its platform.

“The Facebook platform has recently been plagued by a significant volume of undesirable contents relating to the aspects of race, royalty, religion, defamation, impersonation, online gambling as well as scam advertisements. 

“Meta’s response (to remove the contents), which has been sluggish and unsatisfactory, has not met the urgency of the matter and has led to increasing public concern and scrutiny. 

“As there is no sufficient cooperation from Meta, MCMC has no option but to take definitive steps or legal action as a measure to ensure that people are secure and protected in the digital sphere,” the regulatory body said in a statement today. 

MCMC said the action is necessary in promoting accountability for cybersecurity and enhancing consumer protection against online harm, including fraudulent activities and scams.

MCMC added that the agency is utterly intolerant towards any continuous and escalating abuse of online platforms and telecommunications, network or online facilities for malicious cyber activities, phishing, or any contents that threatens racial stability, social harmony and defies respect for the Rulers. – June 23, 2023.