KUALA LUMPUR, 9 January 2026 — Malaysia’s communications regulator has emphasised that foreign-based social media and internet messaging platforms, including global giants used widely by Malaysians, must comply with Malaysian laws once they are considered licensed under the country’s regulatory framework, even if they are headquartered overseas.
Under the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) clarified that the law has extraterritorial application to service providers designated as licensees, meaning legal obligations apply to companies offering social media and messaging services to users in Malaysia, regardless of where they operate from.
Automatic Licensing and Local Responsibilities
From 1 January 2026, major social media and messaging platforms with significant Malaysian user bases — commonly understood to include apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Telegram and YouTube — are deemed licensed under Section 4(2) of the CMA once they provide relevant services in Malaysia.
As licensees, these overseas companies are required to:
- Comply with the CMA and its subsidiary legislations, including licence conditions and directives issued by the MCMC.
- Appoint a local representative in Malaysia, either an individual resident or a locally established entity, to act as the official point of contact for regulatory communications, legal notices and enforcement cooperation.
MCMC has stressed that the automatic licensing and compliance framework is designed to strengthen safeguards for Malaysian users without disrupting how they access and use these platforms, and is not intended to hamper everyday usage.
Why Compliance Matters
Being subject to Malaysian law means foreign platform providers must adhere to local content regulation, safety standards and licensing conditions when operating in the country. Experts say failure to comply with MCMC directives could expose companies to enforcement actions under the CMA, including financial penalties or, in extreme cases, revocation of licence status that could prevent the platform from legally operating in Malaysia.
Analysts note that the shift reflects Malaysia’s broader regulatory trend to align global digital platforms with local governance frameworks, a move seen in other markets such as the European Union and Australia, and to ensure accountability for online harms including harmful content, misinformation and user safety concerns.
Broader Regulatory Context
The licensing requirement follows a deeming provision under Malaysia’s communications legislation that automatically categorises eligible social media and messaging service providers as licensees once they meet certain criteria, such as having a large user base in Malaysia. This mechanism aims to close regulatory gaps where platforms operating digitally might avoid formal registration yet have a significant footprint and impact within the country.
Authorities say the goal is to balance digital safety and innovation, allowing platforms to operate and innovate while holding them accountable to legal and regulatory norms that protect users and align with broader public policy goals.
