KUALA LUMPUR – Telegram and WhatsApp operators need to be more responsible in ensuring that no criminal misconduct is committed on the platforms, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He said that based on reports from Bukit Aman’s sexual, women and children crime investigation division (D11), WhatsApp is found to be widely misused for sexual grooming.
“As for Telegram, we have also received many complaints, including from former and current ministers about threatening messages and scammers.
“The problem with Telegram is that it also allegedly involves the misuse of accounts for pornography and the sale of prohibited substances such as drugs,” he told a press conference after launching the U Mobile Digital School Programme here today.
Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and U Mobile chief executive officer Wong Heang Tuck.
Fahmi said the issues involving the two platforms are already under scrutiny by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). He assured that appropriate action will be taken to ensure that the apps and social media in general are safe for the community.
“We want them to be more responsible and more proactive in dealing with any problem highlighted by authorities, and to take action – particularly on accounts and channels violating Malaysian laws.
“If they refuse to make sure their platform is free from criminal elements, we will make sure they comply with the laws in our country,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Fahmi also called on teachers and parents to play a role in ensuring that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are ready to face the challenges of the digital world.
He said that even though the two generations – referring to those born in 1997 to 2010 and 2011 to 2026 – are considered digital natives, they still need to be exposed to the challenges of technology in all aspects of life including health, business and communications.
“There needs to be a change among teachers and students themselves because while they are ready to challenge themselves and to try new technology, they must also understand the limits that exist in terms of law, and ethics and to always be careful (in using the technology),” he added. – July 23, 2024