News & Reviews:   safety

In case you missed the news over the weekend, Malaysia is set to introduce stricter online safety measures beginning 1 June, requiring social media users to verify their age using official government-issued documents. The move comes under new regulations introduced through the Online Safety Act 2025 by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Instagram is rolling out enhanced safety features for teens in Malaysia, introducing an updated 13+ content rating system alongside a new Limited Content setting aimed at providing stronger parental controls.

Today, WhatsApp has announced a new feature called parent-managed accounts, designed to give parents and guardians greater control when younger users begin using the messaging platform. The update aims to create a safer messaging environment for pre-teens while preserving the app’s privacy protections.

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.

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.

With the many recent controversies surrounding Roblox, the company is introducing a major update to its safety system: millions of users — especially teens aged 13 and over — will now be prompted to verify their age using a video selfie. The company is working with identity-verification firm Persona to analyse facial features and estimate how old a person is.

Malaysia’s Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has summoned TikTok’s top management to Bukit Aman on 4 September 2025, citing the platform’s sluggish response to police investigations into fake news and criminal content. Since early 2024, Fahmi has been actively in touch with TikTok regarding children's safety online.

CelcomDigi is stepping up its cybersecurity game with the launch of MobileSHIELD, a new AI-powered mobile security app designed to help Malaysians take control of their digital safety. From scam protection to identity monitoring, MobileSHIELD offers all-in-one defence against today’s most common mobile threats.

foodpanda Malaysia has officially launched pandasafe, a nationwide safety initiative designed to protect and empower its delivery partners through a permanent, data-driven safety ecosystem. The programme was unveiled at foodpanda’s headquarters and officiated by Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, YB Anthony Loke, who praised the initiative as a bold step forward in supporting the country’s gig economy workforce.

With the announcement of the upcoming iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, visionOS 26, and tvOS 26 this week, Apple also introduced an expanded suite of safety features. It was designed to help parents better manage what their children can access and with whom they interact online, all while upholding privacy standards.