PUTRAJAYA has announced that the government will commence a regulatory sandbox programme from 1 January next year, designed to test mechanisms for child protection and consumer safety in the digital sphere prior to their full implementation.
Minister of Communications Datuk Fahmi Fadzil explained that the initiative will involve collaboration between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and several identified social media platforms.
“This approach is not simply about issuing directives. We are inviting all platforms into a shared space, which in technology terms is called a sandbox, to align government objectives with the capabilities and tools available on the platforms,” he said.
The sandbox model refers to a controlled testing framework widely used in technology and digital sectors, allowing stakeholders to trial new approaches, mechanisms, or technologies in a safe environment before broader implementation.
Through this process, regulators can evaluate the effectiveness, risks, and implications of proposed policies, while the industry is afforded the opportunity to adjust technical and operational capacities in accordance with legal requirements.
Fahmi noted that the trial will run for several months to ensure that any measures introduced are genuinely effective and resistant to manipulation, particularly in protecting children from online risks.
Commenting on Australia’s approach, which restricts social media use for children under 16, Fahmi said Malaysia does not intend to adopt the same method. Instead, the country will pursue solutions better suited to its local context.
Malaysia is leaning towards age verification mechanisms proposed by platform operators rather than the age assurance model used in Australia. Fahmi explained that age verification provides clearer implementation and enforcement procedures while safeguarding user privacy.
“I received a letter from Facebook’s regional director expressing that he was very open and formally willing to assist with age verification using government-issued documents. So the idea did not originally come from me, but from Facebook. I would like to thank Dr Raphael Frankel, Meta Southeast Asia’s Director of Public Policy, for suggesting this approach. We may adopt a measure along these lines,” he said.
Fahmi emphasised that the sandbox will provide time and space for both government and platforms to assess the effectiveness of the mechanisms and address any system weaknesses before extending the measures to the public.
“If one method does not work, we will explore other options. What is important is that when implemented, any issues that arise can be managed more effectively,” he added.
The minister also highlighted that Malaysia is learning from the experiences of countries such as Australia and Denmark, but emphasised that policies and implementation will be tailored to suit the local context. - December 27, 2025
