Being anonymous online could be stripped away, as Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching announced that the government is seeking to amend the Communications and Multimedia Act. This act can force social media platforms such as Facebook to reveal users' data if requested by the police.
That's not all, Teo also said the government wants to compel social media platforms to require new users to provide their phone numbers. While having a phone number on your profile is optional, it is not required at all to sign up for a new account. So why the force? In the government's defence, it's so that the authority can trace those hiding fake accounts.
In particular, the government is trying to target those who have ill intentions in spreading fake news and doing online criminal activities. Teo also added that if no effort is taken on this, it would be difficult for law enforcement to trace those behind fake accounts. The intention sounds good but this means nobody online is safe. To quote Zikri Kamarulzaman - "Using a cat profile photo and a made-up username may not protect you".
Speaking of social media, the government has also imposed that all social media platforms must apply for a social media license. It will take effect on 1 January 2025 but so far, we haven't heard any big techs applying for it successfully. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil told reporters before that the government just couldn't wait on Meta for more time to crack down on online crime groups.
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