Malaysia Demands Meta Act Now on Illegal Gambling Content
UPDATE: Malaysia’s Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, has urgently called on Meta to crack down on illegal online gambling content or face severe regulatory consequences. This demand follows a critical meeting with law enforcement agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Police and the Attorney General’s Chambers, aimed at addressing escalating concerns over unlawful activities on social media platforms.
During the meeting, held earlier today, Fahmi expressed deep frustration over Meta’s insufficient actions to eliminate illegal gambling content. He revealed that out of 168,774 content takedown requests submitted to Facebook, a staggering 120,127 were linked to illegal gambling. However, only 114,665 pieces of content were ultimately removed, raising alarms among Malaysian authorities.
Fahmi stated: “Despite Meta’s supposed goodwill, the threat of illegal gambling persists. If they do not comply with local laws, we will have no choice but to escalate our regulatory measures.” His remarks highlight the urgent need for Meta to enhance its cooperation to prevent further legal action.
The meeting also addressed other pressing issues, including the proliferation of scam messages and the sale of prohibited goods, such as drug-laced vaping devices. As Malaysia intensifies its focus on online safety, the pressure on Meta is mounting not just locally but across Southeast Asia.
In a broader context, countries like Italy have already taken steps to hold social media companies accountable for illegal content. Malaysia’s call to action reflects a growing trend among nations demanding stricter oversight to protect their citizens.
With the stakes rising, the Ministry of Communications plans to ramp up monitoring efforts. Fahmi warned that if Meta fails to show significant improvement, tougher measures will be implemented. The situation remains fluid, and all eyes are on Meta as it navigates increasing demands from authorities worldwide.
As this story develops, the implications for Meta and its users could be significant. The global community will be watching closely to see how the tech giant responds to these urgent calls for change.
