Malaysia to push mandatory ID checks on social media to curb online scams

In a move to curb a rapid increase in online fraud and hateful information, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil on Wednesday (October 01) stated that global social media companies must implement mandatory identity checks on users.

Communications Minister Fahmi said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) plans to hold talks with global social media companies on introducing stronger protections, including e-KYC identity checks, faster reporting channels, and tighter action against unlawful content.

Under the planned proposal, users would need to link their social media accounts to verified identification such as MyKad, passports, or the MyDigital ID. Officials argue that reducing online anonymity will make it harder for scammers and fraud networks to target the public.

Malaysia has seen a surge in online fraud. According to Fahmi, reports from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) led to the removal of more than 150,000 scam- and gambling-related posts on Facebook and other platforms between January and September 2025. Despite these efforts, new fraudulent material continues to appear on a daily basis.

The Commission has been under increasing strain. Fahmi noted that the regulator spends as much time in a single month reporting illegal content to Facebook as it would normally take to complete a full year of work. He said that the current efforts could not be sustained without more vigorous collaboration by platforms.

Although scams take the first position, the government has also reported illegal sales, fake advertising, and exposure of minors to harmful content as escalating threats. Fahmi claimed that warnings had been issued on multiple occasions that failure to do so would not be accepted by any means.

Negotiations with social media companies are likely to revolve around three aspects: the requirement to perform e-KYC verifications, better reporting procedures to help in the faster eradication of malicious posts, and stricter punishment of individuals and groups that post fraudulent or illegal information.

The government has placed digital safety at the centre of its communications and multimedia policy. The Communication Minister stated that web fraud poses a risk to consumer confidence and that the digital ecosystem of Malaysia is under threat. He stressed that stronger safeguards are necessary as internet penetration continues to expand.

The Communication Minister said Malaysia’s position is clear: social media companies need to take greater responsibility for what happens on their platforms. He added that cooperation with global firms is critical to ensure businesses, consumers, and young people are protected in an increasingly digital economy.