The government recommends that all social media platforms in Malaysia implement the eKYC system using official documents such as MyKad, passport or MyDigital ID.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil stressed that this step is important to ensure that users' identities are fully verified. It also aims to curb online fraud and prevent children under 13 from having social media accounts.
For now, the implementation of eKYC is still encouraged voluntarily. However, when the Online Safety Act (OnSA) is enforced later this year or early next year, it will become mandatory.
Fahmi also revealed that platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram and TikTok still do not have an effective eKYC system. Therefore, the ministry has ordered that the identity verification process using official government documents be implemented immediately.
In the near future, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will arrange a meeting in Singapore with representatives of Meta and TikTok. This meeting will also involve the Royal Malaysian Police, the Attorney General's Chambers, the National Anti-Illicit Financial Centre and the Ministry of Finance.
Among the main issues that will be discussed include the sale of prohibited products such as vape liquids mixed with drugs on the Meta platform, as well as the implementation of the eKYC system using official government documents.