Malaysia

Govt mulls mandatory AI content labelling to tackle digital deception

In response to growing concerns over manipulated media and online safety, the government outlines its regulatory strategy under the new Online Safety Act 2025

Updated 1 year ago · Published on 19 Aug 2025 12:38PM

Govt mulls mandatory AI content labelling to tackle digital deception
MCMC is currently drafting subsidiary legislation under Act 866, which includes a focus on online child protection and digital risk management - August 19, 2025

THE government is considering legal measures to compel content publishers to label artificially generated or manipulated content, including images and videos, as part of a broader effort to combat digital deception and protect the public from misleading material.

During a parliamentary session today, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil esponded to a query from Dato' Haji Shamsulkahar Mohd Deli (Jempol), who had asked whether the government intended to regulate the fast-paced development of artificial intelligence (AI) and require publishers to label AI-generated content.

The Minister explained that the newly enacted Online Safety Act 2025 [Act 866] serves as the legal foundation for improving digital safety and regulating harmful online content. The Act also outlines obligations for application service providers, content application service providers, and network service providers.

“The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is currently drafting subsidiary legislation under Act 866, which includes a focus on online child protection and digital risk management,” Fahmi said.

As part of these developments, MCMC is exploring provisions requiring service providers to label content generated automatically using AI technologies.

“This initiative is intended to help users identify content that may be misleading, manipulative, or inauthentic, aligning with efforts to reduce the spread of harmful or false information on online platforms,” he added.

To ensure transparency and accountability, all digital service providers will be required to submit online safety plans demonstrating compliance with the obligations set out under Act 866.

Furthermore, the government will establish an Online Safety Committee, which will advise MCMC on matters relating to digital safety. This committee, to be overseen by the Minister of Law, will include representatives from licensed service providers and other key stakeholders. - August 19, 2025

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