Social Media Giants Navigate: In the first half of 2023, Meta (META.O) and TikTok faced unprecedented challenges in Malaysia, restricting a record number of social media posts and accounts, as revealed by data published by the firms. The surge in government requests to remove content has put the spotlight on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim‘s administration, which, despite its reformist promises since November 2022, faces accusations of backpedaling on commitments to protect freedom of speech.
According to Meta’s Transparency Report, between January and June 2023, approximately 3,100 pages and posts on Facebook and Instagram were restricted in Malaysia due to alleged violations of local laws. This figure, six times higher than the previous half-year period, marks the highest since content restrictions were first reported in 2017.
The Malaysian government, responding to these actions, clarified that its efforts aim to protect users from the rising tide of online harms rather than stifling diverse views. Meta, in its report, revealed that between July 2022 and June 2023, it restricted access to over 3,500 items based on reports from Malaysia’s communications regulator and other government agencies.
TikTok, in a similar report, disclosed that it received 340 requests from the Malaysian government to remove or restrict content in the first half of 2023, affecting 890 posts and accounts. Notably, TikTok removed or restricted 815 of those for violating local laws or the platform’s community guidelines, marking the highest in a six-month period since reporting began in 2019 and triple the number from the second half of 2022.
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Malaysia emerged as the government making the most requests to restrict content on TikTok in Southeast Asia. However, Meta did not publish the total number of government requests it received for content restrictions.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission reported a 24-fold increase in harmful content on social media platforms, reaching 25,642 in 2023 from 1,019 the previous year. The harmful content includes scams, illegal sales, gambling, fake news, and hate speech.
Despite the government’s assertions, concerns have been raised by free speech group Article 19, denouncing the removal of critical posts about the government. Nalini Elumalai, Article 19’s senior Malaysia program officer, warned against stifling legitimate free speech and expression, emphasizing the importance of allowing critical views on social issues, public figures, and government institutions.
As the political landscape evolves, these content restrictions pose challenges to the delicate balance between free speech and government control in Malaysia, with Meta and TikTok at the center of this ongoing struggle.
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