Consider This: Social Media Licensing (Part 1) — 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 Nalini Elumalai, Senior Programme Officer for Malaysia at ARTICLE 19, which is an NGO dedicated to freedom of expression.