Consider This: Social Media Licensing (Part 2) — Digital Democracy at Risk?

Malaysia’s new regulatory framework for social media platforms and internet messaging services will kick into effect on January 1, 2025. It will require platforms that have at least eight million registered users in the country to apply for an annual operating licence with the Malaysian government. The licence mandates stricter controls on data protection, child online safety, and transparency in advertising. Will these changes protect users online, or pave the way for increased censorship? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Harris Zainul, Deputy Director of Research at ISIS Malaysia, where his areas of interest focus on policy responses to mis- and disinformation and social media platform governance.