THE government is considering a proposal to develop a social media app for Malaysians, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.
He said this was because some social media platforms are profiting off Malaysians but failing to ensure user safety.
"Last year, it was estimated that Facebook alone earned US$600 million (RM2.68 billion) in Malaysia, but what has it done to ensure that the platform in Malaysia is safe?" he said at the Free Palestine rally last night.
"We need to study and assess the situation. It is not easy to develop our own social media platform, but some countries have attempted it. We will look into it."
Fahmi said he has met with celebrity host Datuk Aznil Nawawi, who came up with the proposal following Meta's recent takedown of social media posts on Palestine.
Last week, the prime minister’s office complained that Facebook removed a post about a meeting between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar.
Under new government guidelines to combat scams and cyberbullying, starting next year, social media platforms will be required to be licenced from next year via a locally incorporated company. – August 5, 2024.
