Malaysia orders TikTok to remove 'offensive' content about monarchy
L'essentiel
- Malaysia's internet regulator has ordered TikTok to take immediate action against "offensive and defamatory" content targeting the country's monarchy, including AI-generated videos and manipulated images.
- The MCMC cited the platform's failure to adequately address previous complaints and warned of further action if responsibilities are not upheld.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
Malaysia's internet watchdog, the MCMC, has ordered TikTok to remove content deemed offensive to the country's monarchy. This follows previous unsatisfactory responses from the platform regarding similar complaints. The order highlights the government's efforts to regulate social media and protect national institutions.
Malaysia’s internet watchdog has ordered TikTok to take action against “offensive and defamatory” content about the country’s monarchy.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said on Thursday that it had instructed the video-sharing platform to take “immediate remedial measures” in response to an account purporting to be linked to King Sultan Ibrahim.
The MCMC said its order requires the social media company to strengthen its moderation policies and provide a “formal explanation” for its failure to block the “grossly offensive, false, menacing and insulting” content, including AI-generated videos and manipulated images.
The regulator said it takes a “serious view” of online platforms being used to disseminate content that is false or “detrimental to public order”, particularly as it relates to the monarchy.
It added that it issued the order after finding TikTok’s response to previous notifications to be “unsatisfactory”.
TikTok, founded by Chinese tech company ByteDance, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“MCMC will continue to take firm and proportionate action where necessary to ensure digital platforms operating in Malaysia uphold their responsibilities in maintaining a safe, secure and respectful online environment,” the watchdog said in a statement.
Malaysia, a constitutional monarchy, penalises speech deemed to inspire “hatred or contempt” against the royal family under a sedition law passed in 1948.
The watchdog’s order against TikTok is the latest move by authorities in the Southeast Asian country to regulate social media platforms.
In January, the MCMC briefly blocked access to the AI assistant Grok amid a global backlash over its use to create sexually explicit images of people without their consent.
Malaysia’s government is also currently preparing to enforce legislation passed last year to prohibit social media use by under-16s, following similar moves by countries including Australia, Indonesia and France.
À surveiller
Perspective IA — des possibilités, pas des certitudes
TikTok will likely implement stricter content moderation policies in Malaysia.
Probable · En quelques semaines
Further regulatory actions may be taken against TikTok if compliance is not demonstrated.
Possible · En quelques mois
Questions ouvertes
- What specific content triggered the MCMC's latest order?
- What are the potential consequences for TikTok if it fails to comply?
- Will TikTok appeal the MCMC's decision?
- How will TikTok's moderation policies be strengthened?
