Malaysia Sets Age‑Check Deadline

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) says it will finalise social‑media age‑verification mechanisms by the second quarter of this year. To get there, the regulator is running sandbox trials with local and international platform providers, testing everything from ID‑linked log‑ins to AI‑driven age estimation. The goal is a robust, user‑friendly system that blocks under‑age users from accessing harmful content while keeping friction low for legitimate users. If successful, platforms will need to embed the chosen solution before the deadline, and non‑compliant services could face penalties. The move signals Malaysia’s push to tighten digital safety ahead of upcoming global standards.

Provides clear guidance for social‑media firms on upcoming compliance requirements and equips parents with knowledge of new safeguards for their children.

Protecting minors online is a growing priority worldwide, and Malaysia’s timetable puts it ahead of many neighbours. A unified verification framework could curb exposure to explicit material, cyber‑bullying and predatory behaviour, while also nudging the tech industry towards responsible design. The initiative dovetails with global moves such as the EU’s Digital Services Act, positioning Malaysia as a regional leader in digital child safety.