SOCIAL media platform TikTok has taken steps to strengthen its content moderation system following the death of Hindu activist Rajeswary Appahu, also known as Esha, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.  

He said TikTok viewed the incident seriously and has expressed regret over it. 

Fahmi added that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the cabinet believe social media platforms should be responsible for the issue. 

“These platforms should not be allowed to just ‘wash their hands’ on the issue,” he said. 

According to Fahmi, the information he received showed that Esha was cyberbullied during a live stream session between 3am and 4am. 

He told the Dewan Rakyat today that police were also working with social media platforms to identify users who left offensive comments in live streams. 

“Their efforts would deter users from commenting as they like in live streams. Some users assume that it’s okay to comment as they like in live streams because (the comments) will disappear. That is not true,” he said  

He was responding to a question on cyberbullying posed by Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PN). 

Fahmi also said every social media platform has a moderation team and the monitoring carried out by the Malaysian Communication Multimedia Commission would, among others, depend on complaints lodged by the public. 

He said cyberbullying affected people from all walks of life, and even MPs have fallen victim to digital scams and harassment. 

“All MPs should remind children under 13 not to open social media accounts. 

“All social media platforms do not allow children under 13 to create new accounts. Unfortunately, these platforms themselves are careless in verifying the age of new accounts,” he said. 

He urged all MPs to work together to ensure the internet was not just fast, cheap, and extensive but also safer for all children and families. – July 18, 2024.