Most recently, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission reported that it will summon social media giant Meta Platforms Inc. to provide an official explanation following a Reuters report claiming that the company made profits from advertisements linked to online fraud and illegal gambling.
In a statement issued this week, MCMC said it considered the allegations seriously, and even described the matter as a potential breach of public trust and Malaysian law if the claims are proved to be true.
“MCMC shares the concerns expressed by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and will commence an investigation into the matter,” the commission said in the statement.
The Reuters report alleged that Meta, which operates Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, had earned advertising revenue from fraudulent and gambling-related campaigns that targeted consumers in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian jurisdictions.
If proved truthful in court, these practices would mean that Meta has breached Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588). The act forbids the use of digital platforms to promote or facilitate illegal or harmful content.
Currently, online gambling is prohibited in Malaysia, and digital platforms that advertise online casinos are subject to enforcement under local laws.
Record Number of Takedown Requests
In its statement, MCMC alleged that between January 1 and November 4, 2025, the regulator submitted 157,208 takedown requests to Meta concerning advertisements promoting illegal activities. Out of these, 44,922 were linked to fraudulent advertisements, the highest number among all social media platforms.
At the same time, MCMC also submitted 3,956 takedown requests to TikTok, 269 to Telegram, 11 to X (formerly known as Twitter), and 45,448 to YouTube over similar issues.
The regulator explained that the figures highlighted the disproportionately high number of illegal ads on Meta’s platforms, and underlined that the company’s current mitigation measures remain inadequate.
“MCMC has advised Meta to take more proactive measures to combat online fraud and gambling, as its current efforts remain insufficient.”
MCMC also reminded that all online platforms and messaging services operating in Malaysia must be legally licensed and must indicate that their systems can effectively prevent and remove illegal content.
“If there is evidence that any platform is abetting or facilitating illegal activities, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the laws of the country,” warned MCMC.
Growing Enforcement Efforts
The commission’s announcement comes at a time of escalation in Malaysia’s broader campaign to hold digital platforms accountable for harmful or unlawful online content.
Since 2020, MCMC has investigated 1,417 complaints under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which criminalises the improper use of network facilities or services to transmit obscene, false, menacing, or offensive material.
Out of these cases, 61 were prosecuted in court, 40 were compounded for a total of RM727,500, and 167 received warnings. The remaining 1,149 cases are either still under investigation or have been closed with no further action.
The number of complaints has also risen sharply in recent years. Between January and October this year alone, MCMC received 545 complaints, which surpass the annual totals recorded over the past five years.
In contrast, the corresponding figures for 2020 to 2024 were 188, 57, 157, 155 and 315, respectively. MCMC said that the growing trend underscores rising public concern about online scams, impersonation, and the spread of harmful or misleading information.
Wider Digital Accountability Push
The latest scrutiny of Meta comes amid a broader regulatory crackdown on global tech firms accused of allowing the spread of illegal or harmful online content.
In a separate but related development, the High Court this week granted an Erinford injunction in favour of MCMC against Telegram Messenger Inc., restraining the company and the administrators of two Telegram channels, Edisi Siasat and Edisi Khas, from publishing or disseminating 33 harmful articles deemed to threaten national security and public harmony.
The court said the injunction was necessary to prevent further damage to national institutions and social stability, highlighting the balance between public interest and individual rights in the country’s digital governance framework.
Legal experts see the Meta investigation and the Telegram injunction as signs of the country cracking down on tech platforms, particularly those seen as uncooperative in addressing online harms.
Malaysia Sets the Tone for Tech Regulation
As MCMC prepares to question Meta, industry observers say the move could set a significant precedent for how Malaysia, and potentially other Southeast Asian countries, regulate major digital platforms that profit from user-generated advertising.
“This case could redefine the expectations for corporate responsibility in the digital ecosystem,” said one policy analyst. They also noted that public trust in online safety now depends on stronger enforcement and greater transparency from global tech firms.
With investigations currently ongoing and public pressure increasing, Meta’s response in the coming weeks will likely determine its stance with Malaysian authorities and reputation in a region that is more and more concerned about digital accountability and user protection.
