1-1-2025 (KUALA LUMPUR) Social media giants are racing to secure regulatory compliance in Malaysia as the national telecommunications watchdog reviews licensing applications from leading digital platforms.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission revealed today that four prominent social media and messaging services have initiated the licensing process, with WeChat emerging as the frontrunner in securing operational approval.
Chinese tech behemoth Tencent, WeChat’s parent company, has become the first to obtain the coveted Applications Service Providers Class licence. Following closely behind, ByteDance’s TikTok has also successfully secured its operational permit, whilst Telegram is on the cusp of receiving regulatory approval.
Meta, the corporate entity behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has recently commenced its licensing journey. However, notable absences from the application pool include X (formerly Twitter) and Google’s YouTube platform.
In a noteworthy development, X has claimed exemption from the licensing requirement, citing insufficient user numbers. The platform contends its Malaysian user base falls short of the mandatory eight million threshold – a claim the Commission has pledged to scrutinise thoroughly.
The regulatory body expressed particular interest in YouTube’s status, acknowledging ongoing discussions regarding the platform’s video-sharing capabilities and its position within the licensing framework. Officials emphasised their commitment to ensuring all relevant platforms understand their obligations under the regulatory regime.
The Commission issued a stern warning to non-compliant platforms, indicating potential enforcement actions under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Platforms operating without proper licensing face the prospect of investigation and regulatory intervention.
