KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has instructed all internet service providers (ISP) to block controversial dating platform Sugarbook and any of its alternative websites.
Responding to reports that Sugarbook is still accessible online despite being blocked by the regulator, MCMC chairman Fadhulullah Suhaimi Abdul Malek said the nature of the internet allows websites to be accessed despite being blocked.
“They (website administrators) use proxy servers and alternative sites. Alternative sites, we will block,” he told The Vibes today.
Fadhulullah’s response comes after the controversial website remained accessible via its Google Play Store app and alternative websites.
Checks by The Vibes revealed that while the app remains listed on the Google Play Store in Malaysia, it is not available on the Apple App Store.
The regulatory body’s earlier actions in banning the website appears to have had little effect as the website developer has since set up a mirror site in its place to enable users to access the blocked web page.
Malaysiakini reported that, hours after the MCMC banned Sugarbook’s website, the dating service emailed users with instructions on how to circumvent the block.
It revealed that it had created an alternative link to the site, and also taught users how to use Domain Name System (DNS) to bypass the block.
Attempts to register as a “sugar daddy” on the website proved successful, with easy access granted.
Sugarbook was blocked by the MCMC following calls to ban the adult dating platform following its release of a controversial list of the top 10 universities in the country with the highest number of “sugar babies”.
Yesterday, the MCMC expressed concern about the recent marketing gimmick by Sugarbook, claiming that many Malaysian women, especially university students, have offered themselves as “sugar babies” on the app.
It was recently reported that Malaysia had the third-highest number of “sugar daddies” in Asia, behind India and Indonesia, on the sugar daddy-sugar baby dating platform.
The MCMC noted that, apart from Sugarbook, other apps also provide online dating services.
MCMC also stated that it is monitoring and investigating Sugarbook and will take action against its users and platform-owners should they violate the law. – The Vibes, February 16, 2021
