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Time to consider categorising social media as ‘public utility’: Teo | Scoop
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching delivers her keynote address at the 19th Asia Media Summit and Associated Meetings themed ‘Media: The New Odyssey’ at Brickfields Asia College today. – Bernama pic, September 3, 2024
News

Time to consider categorising social media as ‘public utility’: Teo

Deputy comms minister says this allows govt to regulate the platforms like water, internet providers, highlighting MCMC removed 32,000 scam content from Jan to Aug 15

Bernama
Updated
1:03 PM MYT

 

PETALING JAYA – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) removed 32,676 fraud and scam content between January and August 15, an increase from 6,297 in 2023. 

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said Malaysia lost RM3.18 billion to online scams between 2021 and April 2024, but she believes the actual figure may be much higher. 

She also said that the increasing number of cases and associated losses demonstrate the rising prevalence of cybercrime at an alarming rate, despite continued efforts and engagement with social media platform providers. 

Given that social media platforms are becoming the primary domain for AI-generated content and viable alternatives are becoming scarce, Teo believes it is time to reconsider classifying them as public utilities. 

“This means platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok could be treated as essential services similar to water, electricity or internet providers. 

“This reclassification would subject these platforms to government regulation, ensuring better protection of user rights and the mitigation of harmful content. 

“Similar to the oversight of traditional utilities, a licensing framework for social media and instant messaging platforms could help address issues like misinformation, privacy breaches and the spread of harmful material,” she said. 

Teo made this remark in her keynote address at the 19th Asia Media Summit and Associated Meetings themed “Media: The New Odyssey” at Brickfields Asia College today. 

The event was also attended by Papua New Guinea’s Information, Communications and Technology Minister Timothy Masiu, Cambodia’s Information Minister Neth Pheaktra and Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development secretariat director and chief executive officer Philomena Gnanapragasam. 

Teo emphasised that in today’s rapidly changing digital landscape, media practitioners must navigate a complex terrain shaped by AI. 

However, while the technology has enormous potential for positive societal change, it also carries significant risks, particularly in the realm of misinformation and disinformation. 

If left unchecked, she said these threats can fuel geopolitical tensions, societal polarisation and individual harm, including scams and privacy invasions facilitated by deepfake technology and cyberbullying.  

She cited a few prominent Malaysians, including Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Datuk Lee Chong Wei and entrepreneur Khairul Aming, as having been exploited in scam operations that used these celebrities’ voices and images to impersonate and trick victims into handing over money or personal information. 

Thus, as AI technology advances at a breakneck pace, effective management and regulation are required to ensure that the benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks, she added. 

Regarding the summit, Teo hoped it would serve as a platform to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusivity for positive change among media, policymakers and stakeholders. 

She said the Communications Ministry is also seeking the summit support for the Malaysian Media Council Bill, which they intend to table in Parliament soon. 

Once passed, the Media Council’s key roles will include ensuring compliance with set standards,  particularly in light of the rapid dissemination of information in the digital age, which can have far-reaching consequences. 

Attended by top-ranking broadcasters, decision-makers, media professionals, regulators, scholars and stakeholders from within and outside the region, the Asia Media Summit provides a platform for intergovernmental dialogues to uplift the benchmarks of the regional media industry. – September 3, 2024

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