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Malaysia Grants Licences to WeChat and TikTok Under New Social Media Law

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Malaysia’s communications regulator has granted licences to WeChat and TikTok to operate under the country’s new social media law, which aims to combat rising cybercrime. The law, which took effect on January 1, mandates that social media platforms and messaging services with more than 8 million users in Malaysia must obtain a licence, or face legal action.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced on Wednesday that Tencent’s WeChat and ByteDance’s TikTok have been granted their licences. Messaging platform Telegram is in the final stages of the application process, while Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has begun the licensing procedure.

However, some platforms have not applied for the licence. X (formerly Twitter) has not submitted an application, stating that its local user base does not exceed the 8 million threshold. The regulator is currently reviewing the validity of this claim. Additionally, Alphabet’s Google, which operates YouTube, has not applied for a licence either, citing concerns about YouTube’s video-sharing features and how they relate to the new law. The MCMC has indicated that YouTube must still comply with the licensing requirements.

The law requires platforms to adhere to guidelines to curb harmful content, including online gambling, scams, child pornography, cyberbullying, and offensive content related to race, religion, and royalty. Malaysia has seen an uptick in harmful social media content in early 2024, prompting authorities to urge platforms like Meta and TikTok to enhance their monitoring efforts.

While companies do not disclose their user numbers per country, independent data suggests WeChat has 12 million users in Malaysia, while TikTok has around 28.68 million users aged 18 and above. Facebook has 22.35 million users, YouTube has 24.1 million users, and X has 5.71 million users in the country.

 

TikTok Appeals to US Supreme Court in Final Attempt to Prevent Ban

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TikTok has made a last-ditch attempt to prevent a potential ban in the United States by appealing to the Supreme Court. On Monday, the social media platform filed an emergency request seeking a temporary injunction to block a law that mandates its China-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest the app by January 19. If the company does not comply, the app could face a complete ban in the U.S. This move comes after a lower court upheld the law, and TikTok is now seeking to continue operations while appealing the decision.

In a coordinated effort, TikTok and ByteDance have asked the Supreme Court to intervene, with the goal of stopping the law from going into effect. The request was filed alongside a similar appeal from a group of U.S. TikTok users, who argue that the law unfairly targets the platform, which has become a key part of online social interaction for around 170 million Americans. The case has garnered significant attention due to the potential consequences for both users and the broader tech landscape in the U.S.

The law in question, passed by Congress in April, seeks to address concerns over national security. The Justice Department has argued that TikTok’s connection to China presents a significant risk, citing the app’s ability to collect vast amounts of personal data on U.S. users—ranging from locations to private messages. Authorities also claim that TikTok could be used to manipulate the content Americans are exposed to, potentially influencing political opinions and public perception in a way that serves the interests of the Chinese government.

As the legal battle continues, TikTok’s fate in the U.S. hangs in the balance. If the Supreme Court grants the injunction, it could temporarily delay the law’s enforcement, allowing TikTok to operate while further appeals are considered. However, if the Court declines, the company may be forced to comply with the divestiture deadline or face a nationwide ban, which would disrupt millions of users and businesses that rely on the app for communication, entertainment, and marketing.

Trump Suggests Keeping TikTok in the US for the Time Being

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President-elect Donald Trump has expressed a preference for allowing TikTok to continue operating in the United States, citing the platform’s significant role in his presidential campaign. Speaking to a conservative crowd in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump remarked on the app’s success during his campaign, noting the billions of views he received on TikTok. These comments are the strongest indication yet that he opposes a potential U.S. exit for the popular social media platform.

Earlier in April, the U.S. Senate passed a law demanding TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divest the app, citing national security concerns. TikTok has fought this move in court, and the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case. If ByteDance loses and no divestment occurs, the app may face a ban in the U.S. by January 19, just one day before Trump’s inauguration.

Trump, however, hinted that the situation might need to be reconsidered. He referred to the overwhelming response to his content on TikTok, saying, “Maybe we gotta keep this sucker around for a little while.” He also met with TikTok’s CEO on Monday and expressed a “warm spot” for the app due to its impact on his campaign’s visibility.

Despite Trump’s remarks, the U.S. Justice Department maintains that TikTok, under Chinese ownership, poses a national security threat. This position is widely supported by U.S. lawmakers. TikTok, however, defends its operations, asserting that user data is stored in the U.S. on servers run by Oracle Corp and that decisions about content moderation are made within the country.