Social Media: Age Verification at 16 Using MyKad Now Mandatory

KUALA LUMPUR: Licensed social media service providers are now required to implement age verification mechanisms using official documents such as MyKad or passports to ensure that only individuals aged 16 and above are allowed to register and have accounts on the platform.

The Ministry of Communications informed that the measure is implemented under the Child Protection Code (CPC), which came into effect on 1 June 2026.

“Age verification shall be implemented using official documents such as MyKad, passport, birth certificate or other recognised documents. To ensure compliance, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is monitoring the implementation of the CPC by Licensed Service Providers.

“MCMC has issued written notices under subsection 30(2) of the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866) to social media service providers to obtain explanations regarding non-compliance and measures to implement age verification mechanisms,” it said in a written reply published on the Parliament website today.

Under Act 866, Licensed Service Providers found guilty of an offence can be fined a maximum of RM1 million, as well as an additional fine of RM100,000 for each day the offence continues.

In addition, MCMC may also issue a Non-Compliance Notice and impose a financial penalty of up to RM10 million under the provisions of the said act.

The ministry was responding to a question from Senator Norhasmimi Abdul Ghani regarding the effectiveness of the implementation of Act 866 and the CPC in protecting children from cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, harmful content and social media addiction.

Regarding enforcement against online fraud involving paid advertisements, fake accounts, as well as harmful content and websites, a total of 292,102 requests for the removal of scam content and fake accounts had been submitted by MCMC for the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 July 2026, of which 279,875 (96 percent) had been taken down.

According to the ministry, for unauthorised advertisements, products and services, a total of 20,114 requests had been submitted and 17,285 items of content (86 percent) had been taken down.

“During the same period, a total of 17,418 websites were blocked, involving 5,103 cases (29 percent) under MCMC’s jurisdiction, while 12,315 cases (71 percent) were under the jurisdiction of other agencies.

“Content takedown actions, account restrictions and website blocks are implemented based on complaint evaluations, platform community guidelines and applicable laws,” according to the ministry.

The Ministry of Communications was responding to a question from Senator Musoddak Ahmad regarding the form of responsibility of licensed social media platforms towards paid advertisements that deceive users, including content removal actions, account restrictions and sharing of advertiser information with the authorities.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communications informed that for the period from 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2026, MCMC had submitted 14,169 requests for the removal of 3R (race, religion and royalty) content to service providers.

According to the reply, of that total, 8,750 items of content (62 percent) had been taken down based on complaints received, platform community guidelines and applicable local laws.

During the same period, MCMC had investigated 462 cases under Section 233 of Act 588 involving 3R issues, comprising 22 cases that had been charged in court, with 16 cases decided and six cases still under proceedings.

The ministry was responding to a question from Senator Mohd Hasbie Muda regarding action against individuals who repeatedly misuse digital platforms to provoke provocation, disturb public order or incite society.

BERNAMA