In early January, we reported that MCMC planned to ban under-16s from social media this year. We have another new update today, as news sources report that the government is preparing to implement a minimum age requirement for social media accounts, which is expected to come into effect as early as July 2026, subject to completion of ongoing preparatory work.

Just weeks ago, we reported that ASUS would pause new smartphone launches for 2026. Although there was no official word from the company, ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih has come forward and confirmed the new direction. ASUS is moving its focus away from expanding its smartphone lineup to concentrate on artificial intelligence–driven innovation.

The Malaysian government has very big plans for MyDigital ID. According to news sources, they are aiming to attract 15 million new MyDigital ID registrations during 2026 as part of a broader effort to deepen adoption of a unified digital identity system nationwide.

For 2026, MediaTek has expanded its Dimensity lineup with the introduction of two new mobile platforms, the Dimensity 9500s and Dimensity 8500. Aimed at flagship and premium smartphones, the new chipsets focus on boosting performance, power efficiency, AI computing, imaging, gaming, and wireless connectivity.

Disney+ has announced that it will add support for vertical video formats to its platform this year, further increasing usage and viewership on its streaming service. Besides that, the addition of this feature is also expected to lead to an increase in advertising. So, what should you know about it?

We have talked about this new feature before. In mid-2026, the Malaysian government confirmed it would introduce redesigned passports and identity cards with enhanced security features. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the new Malaysian passport and MyKad will be rolled out by the second or early third quarter of the year to improve their integrity and reliability.

It may be strange to read this news, but according to industry reporting, ASUS officially communicated with Taiwanese mobile distributors that it will not introduce any new smartphone models in 2026. Local retailers told Digitimes Asia that ASUS handset supply through official channels was drying up and that the company’s smartphone division would effectively operate only through 31 December 2025 before halting new product releases.

To kick off 2026, Malaysia has officially begun enforcing the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA), with revamped digital safety laws designed to tighten protections across the internet, especially for children and families. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) confirmed the act takes legal effect today, ushering in new expectations for how digital platforms must operate within the country’s cyberspace.

As we bid 2025, we can expect to see new year greetings from friends and family. In this social media age, it means e-cards or fancy stickers via messaging apps. And when it comes to the latter, WhatsApp is the popular choice for Malaysians.

According to reports, 2026 is lining up to be filled with Apple product launches. We could be seeing more than 20 new devices, scheduled across its core hardware categories, from refreshed Macs and iPads to exciting new iPhone models and expanded accessories. You may take this with a pinch of salt, but here's everything we know about the news.