The stories shaping Malaysia, in focus.
Apple temporarily delisted Telegram from the App Store after discovering content violating its child protection policies. The messaging platform was restored within hours after removing the problematic material and blocking the user responsible.
The European Commission has identified serious child safety lapses on TikTok, including public profiles exposing minors to predators and algorithmic promotion of teenage content. The platform faces potential fines and mounting pressure over age restrictions.
Malaysia's Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil has directed the MCMC and police to investigate a Threads account accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad, with a public statement expected.
Malaysia's communications regulator has successfully removed over 12,000 deepfake posts in the first six months of 2024, achieving a 94 per cent success rate in content takedowns as new rules requiring AI-generated content labelling come into force.
Thailand has introduced an expedited legal mechanism to block and remove illegal online content after illegal URLs surged from tens of thousands to millions, enabling authorities to act within hours rather than days.
France has become the first European Union country to prohibit social media use among children under 15, after parliament approved legislation with strong majorities in both chambers this week.
More than 20 countries are banning or restricting social media for children, with Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia already enforcing laws. The trend reflects growing global concern over online harms to young people.
Malaysia's communications regulator has launched a major two-day conference to chart the country's digital future, bringing together policymakers and industry leaders to tackle emerging challenges in artificial intelligence, child protection, and data privacy.
Malaysian legal authorities and international experts gathered to discuss implementing the Online Safety Act 2025, highlighting tensions between platform accountability and fundamental freedoms while exploring enforcement strategies beyond financial penalties.
The European Commission has accepted X's compliance plan following a December 2025 penalty for violating digital transparency rules, marking the first enforcement action under the EU's Digital Services Act.
Switzerland's Competition Commission has opened a preliminary investigation into Google's decision to remove the Choice Screen feature from Android devices in the country, which previously allowed users to select alternative search engines during device setup.
South Korea has enacted stricter penalties against fake news publishers, including fines up to 1 billion won for repeat offenders. However, journalists and opposition lawmakers warn the vague definition could suppress legitimate criticism and undermine democratic freedoms.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that Malaysia is completing an AI Governance Bill designed to operate in tandem with the country's existing Cybersecurity Act and data protection legislation.
Europe's highest court has upheld a €4.1 billion fine against Google for abusing its dominance through Android, reinforcing the EU's aggressive stance on Big Tech competition violations.
French President Emmanuel Macron and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus have issued a joint call for tighter regulation of digital platforms, citing growing concerns about their impact on children's health and development worldwide.
Australia is tabling parliamentary legislation Monday to fortify its under-16 social media restriction and grant its internet regulator enhanced authority to pursue major technology companies through the courts for violations.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph5jy4kg)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph5jy4kp)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22320%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3EMCMC%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Malaysia's communications regulator has committed to vigilant monitoring of internet-based political coverage throughout the Johor election campaign, aiming to maintain standards and compliance across digital platforms.
Pope Leo XIV has warned that artificial intelligence cannot be considered morally neutral, as every system embeds design choices and values. He calls for clear responsibility definitions from developers to users.
TikTok and YouTube have deactivated 4.7 million accounts belonging to Indonesian children under 16 as part of the government's push to curb youth exposure to digital harms.
A University of Newcastle study tracking Australian adolescents found that over 85% of under-16s continued using restricted social media platforms three months after Australia's landmark ban took effect in December 2025, despite encountering age verification checks.