KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Bernama) -- The responsibility of addressing the spread of sensitive content on social media should not fall on a single party, but be shared between users and platform providers.
Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president, Siraj Jalil, said it is unreasonable for technology companies to avoid responsibility, given that they generate significant profits from user interactions.
He said a more comprehensive approach is needed to ensure a safe and effective digital ecosystem, involving stronger government enforcement alongside the responsibility of both platform providers and users.
“Platform providers must take responsibility. They cannot simply avoid it,” he told Bernama when contacted.
Commenting on a proposal in the United Kingdom to impose a timeframe on technology companies to remove sensitive content, Siraj said the approach could be considered in Malaysia to strengthen protection for victims, but must be implemented fairly.
“The proposal should not be rushed without proper legal processes. It must also include mechanisms that allow fair investigation and assessment, including room for further review or inquiry,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cyber Generation Laboratory head at the Institute for Social Science Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Dr Syafila Kamarudin, said while users must be accountable for content they upload, platform providers also play a key role as they control the digital ecosystem.
She said the Online Safety Act (ONSA) 2025, introduced by the government, is important, especially in protecting vulnerable groups such as women and children from online exploitation.
Enforced from Jan 1, the Act provides a legal framework to enhance online safety and strengthen protection for users, particularly children and families.
It also outlines responsibilities for licensed service providers to address online harm, including implementing safety measures based on risk levels, providing specific protections for children, and establishing reporting and support mechanisms for users.
The Act applies to service providers holding licences as Application Service Providers (ASP), Content Application Service Providers (CASP), or Network Service Providers (NSP) under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Syafila also stressed the need to balance protecting victims with avoiding the over-criminalisation of ordinary social media users.
“In my view, imprisonment is appropriate, but it should be applied selectively, especially in serious cases. For other cases, fines and administrative action are more suitable.
“The best approach is phased enforcement to ensure victims are protected while not excessively punishing ordinary users,” she said.
He said a more comprehensive approach is needed to ensure a safe and effective digital ecosystem, involving stronger government enforcement alongside the responsibility of both platform providers and users.
“Platform providers must take responsibility. They cannot simply avoid it,” he told Bernama when contacted.
Commenting on a proposal in the United Kingdom to impose a timeframe on technology companies to remove sensitive content, Siraj said the approach could be considered in Malaysia to strengthen protection for victims, but must be implemented fairly.
“The proposal should not be rushed without proper legal processes. It must also include mechanisms that allow fair investigation and assessment, including room for further review or inquiry,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cyber Generation Laboratory head at the Institute for Social Science Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Dr Syafila Kamarudin, said while users must be accountable for content they upload, platform providers also play a key role as they control the digital ecosystem.
She said the Online Safety Act (ONSA) 2025, introduced by the government, is important, especially in protecting vulnerable groups such as women and children from online exploitation.
Enforced from Jan 1, the Act provides a legal framework to enhance online safety and strengthen protection for users, particularly children and families.
It also outlines responsibilities for licensed service providers to address online harm, including implementing safety measures based on risk levels, providing specific protections for children, and establishing reporting and support mechanisms for users.
The Act applies to service providers holding licences as Application Service Providers (ASP), Content Application Service Providers (CASP), or Network Service Providers (NSP) under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Syafila also stressed the need to balance protecting victims with avoiding the over-criminalisation of ordinary social media users.
“In my view, imprisonment is appropriate, but it should be applied selectively, especially in serious cases. For other cases, fines and administrative action are more suitable.
“The best approach is phased enforcement to ensure victims are protected while not excessively punishing ordinary users,” she said.