The Dewan Rakyat passed the Online Safety Bill (RUU) 2024, which aims to improve and promote online safety in Malaysia. The bill was passed by a split vote with 77 MPs in favour 55 opposed and 90 absent. So, what should you know about it?
Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, when winding up the debate on the bill, said the law was focused on service provider companies that would be involved in the licensing process next January.
In addition, he said the law was a necessity considering advances in telecommunications technology and the increasingly challenging and dangerous online environment, given that almost 80% of Malaysians use social media platforms. He also added
“With tens of millions of users, billions of ringgit, (provider companies) won't want to do business just for the sake of it... they enter our territory, there has to be responsibility.”
According to the bill, it is the duty of licensed application service providers to implement measures to reduce the risk of users being exposed to harmful content. Service providers must also issue guidelines to users, including terms of use of the service, as well as provide a mechanism for reporting content believed to be harmful.
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