The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has reported this Monday the entry into force of the new regulation that bans access to social networks for those under 16 years of age, an initiative promoted by the Executive to reinforce the protection of children on the Internet.
"As of June 1, 2026, licensed social media service providers must ensure that only users over 16 years of age can register accounts and access age-appropriate services," the body indicated in a statement.
In the same note, the MCMC has stressed that, in line with the "legal obligations" set out in child protection legislation and online risk mitigation regulations, technology companies will be required to deploy specific security mechanisms that allow for reliable age verification of users.
Thus, those who wish to open new accounts on social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Youtube will have to provide official documents issued by the Malaysian authorities. In the case of existing profiles, a six-month period has been set to complete the age verification process, so that minors have time to download or transfer their data, including photographs and videos, before definitive blocks are applied.
Companies that infringe these requirements risk financial penalties of up to 10 million ringgit (2 million euros). Kuala Lumpur's decision is in addition to similar measures recently adopted by other countries in the region and beyond, such as Australia, Indonesia, or Brazil.