Bold, independent coverage of Malaysian politics, business and current affairs.
Malaysia's Communications Ministry has confirmed that social media platforms must verify users are at least 16 years old using official documents like MyKad. The requirement is enforced under the Child Protection Code, which took effect June 1, 2026.
TikTok has agreed to settle three lawsuits brought by teenagers who claim the platform's addictive design caused mental health problems including depression, anxiety and self-harm. The settlements come ahead of a major trial scheduled for October.
Telegram's billionaire founder Pavel Durov has been accused by Russia's FSB of aiding terrorist activities and added to international wanted lists, marking the latest chapter in his contentious relationship with both Moscow and Western authorities.
Malaysia's Communications Ministry has directed MCMC and police to investigate a Threads account accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad, with the minister requesting the regulator issue a public statement on the matter.
Malaysia's communications regulator has successfully removed over 12,000 deepfake posts since January, with a 94 per cent success rate in taking down manipulated content flagged to social media platforms.
Malaysian authorities have removed 1,550 pieces of offensive content involving children since 2022, leveraging stricter enforcement and new digital safety legislation to protect minors online.
Thailand has streamlined legal procedures to rapidly block illegal websites and content as unlawful URLs have ballooned from tens of thousands to millions, targeting online gambling, scams, and fraudulent schemes.
France has enacted groundbreaking legislation making it the first EU country to ban social media for children under 15, with overwhelming parliamentary support and implementation beginning in September.
More than 30 countries worldwide are now enforcing or planning restrictions on social media use by children, with minimum age limits ranging from 13 to 16 years old.
Malaysia is navigating the complex task of protecting children online while safeguarding freedom of expression, with legal experts emphasising effective enforcement over regulation alone at an international conference.
Malaysian communications regulator warns that weaker digital laws embolden criminals, citing two to three child abuse reports daily. Country strengthens framework through 2025 Online Safety Act requiring platform identity verification.
The European Union has imposed a record €550 million fine on AliExpress for failing to prevent the sale of illegal, counterfeit and unsafe products. It is the third enforcement action under the EU's Digital Services Act.
Controversial internet personalities Andrew and Tristan Tate have been arrested in Miami following fresh rape and sex-trafficking charges filed by British prosecutors, marking an escalation in legal proceedings against the brothers.
A Chinese blogger has received a 20-month prison sentence for fabricating negative safety claims about Xiaomi's SU7 electric sedan through a manipulated crash-test video that went viral with millions of views.
Malaysia's Communications Ministry revealed it has removed 457,562 pieces of online gambling content since January 2025, with authorities blocking 1,778 gambling websites as part of a coordinated enforcement effort.
The European Commission has accepted X's remedial measures following a December 2025 fine for breaching the Digital Services Act. The platform must enhance researcher access and improve transparency within six months.
Google has asked the EU's highest court to dismiss an appeal by competition regulators seeking to reinstate a €1.49 billion fine that was annulled in 2024 over restrictive advertising clauses.
Malaysia's anti-corruption and communications regulators are deepening collaboration to combat harmful online material and improve crisis response management, reflecting growing concerns about digital threats.
India's technology ministry has instructed Meta to remove all sexual abuse content involving children from Instagram and Facebook, and to disable related advertisements. The directive follows a BBC investigation revealing such material in Indian Instagram ads.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has revealed that Malaysia is developing a comprehensive AI Governance Bill designed to work alongside the nation's existing cybersecurity and data protection framework, signalling the government's intent to establish holistic oversight of artificial intelligence deployment.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has activated a dedicated complaints centre ahead of Johor's state election on July 11, accepting reports on network coverage, service quality, and online content violations.
Europe's highest court has upheld a record €4.1 billion fine against Google, rejecting the search giant's appeal over alleged anti-competitive practices tied to its Android operating system.
Emmanuel Macron and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus have jointly called for stricter regulation of digital platforms, warning that inadequately managed online environments pose significant risks to children's health and wellbeing across multiple dimensions.
A Swedish court has ruled that Google must pay approximately $1.5 billion to Klarna's price comparison service PriceRunner, finding the tech giant illegally manipulated search results to favor its own shopping comparison tool.
TikTok has settled a lawsuit brought by a 15-year-old boy alleging the platform damaged his mental health, marking the latest payout as courts grapple with social media's effects on young users.
Indonesia's communications ministry says TikTok and YouTube have collectively deactivated 4.7 million accounts belonging to children under 16, marking the enforcement of stricter digital protections introduced in March.
Malaysia's new Online Safety Act imposes penalties up to RM10 million on social media platforms that neglect age-verification requirements, marking a significant tightening of digital regulation.