Identity verification required for social media advertisers under new online safety regime

THE Government is preparing to introduce mandatory identity verification for individuals and organisations purchasing paid advertisements on social media platforms, marking a significant escalation in the government's campaign against online fraud, digital gambling syndicates and deceptive advertising practices.

The proposed requirement forms part of the new obligations under the Risk Mitigation Code (RMC), which comes into force on 1 June under the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA), according to Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.

The measure will apply to licensed social media platform operators with more than eight million users in Malaysia and is aimed at improving accountability within the country's digital advertising ecosystem.

Teo said authorities have observed a growing number of sponsored advertisements exploiting the images and identities of prominent individuals to promote dubious investment schemes, financial scams and online gambling operations.

"We have seen many sponsored posts using the faces of well-known individuals to promote content such as questionable investment opportunities, financial scams and online gambling, and so far it has been difficult to take action because we do not know who is actually paying for those advertisements," she said.

Speaking to reporters after officiating the opening of the Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat (WRUR) Programme for the Kota Melaka parliamentary constituency in Banda Hilir, Teo said the new framework would place greater responsibility on platform operators to verify advertisers before allowing paid content to be published.

Under the proposed system, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will require every advertiser, whether an individual or a registered entity, to undergo an identity verification process conducted by the respective social media platform before any sponsored advertisement can be displayed.

The move is expected to strengthen enforcement efforts against anonymous operators who have increasingly used paid advertisements to target consumers with fraudulent schemes while concealing their identities.

In a related development, Teo urged social media companies to fully comply with both the Risk Mitigation Code and the Child Protection Code (CPC), which will also take effect on 1 June as part of Malaysia's broader online safety framework.

The Child Protection Code introduces new safeguards designed to enhance the safety of minors online, including stricter age-verification requirements for social media account registration.

Addressing concerns over the implementation of age-verification mechanisms, Teo said official identification documents such as national identity cards or passports would be required to verify users seeking to open social media accounts.

The new requirement is intended to prevent children under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts without appropriate safeguards.

Teo acknowledged that some parents are still seeking the most effective way to explain the new safety measures to their children, but said public support for the initiative has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Parents are very supportive because they understand that the internet presents many risks, including cyberbullying, sexual abuse and child grooming, all of which are issues that concern parents," she said.

While the government expects a high level of compliance from platform operators, Teo said authorities would provide a reasonable transition period to allow companies sufficient time to adapt to their expanded responsibilities under the new regulatory framework.

The measures represent one of Malaysia's most comprehensive attempts to strengthen digital governance, increase transparency in online advertising and improve protections for internet users, particularly children, in an increasingly complex online environment. - May 31, 2026