What is the main goal of the new social media task force?

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The primary objective of the new social media task force is to enhance the regulation and enforcement of social media activities in Malaysia. This initiative aims to address challenges in prosecuting social media-related offenses and to implement a licensing framework for platforms.

A special task force is set to be established next week, bringing together key government ministries and departments to collaboratively tackle issues surrounding social media. The formation of this group is a direct response to the complexities and unsatisfactory outcomes observed in current social media case handling, particularly concerning the prosecution of offenses and the prevalence of fake accounts.
Improving Prosecution of Social Media Offences

The task force will focus on understanding the practical difficulties faced by Deputy Public Prosecutors (DPPs) when dealing with social media cases. This includes addressing emerging challenges such as deepfake investigations, which require specific technical expertise and evidence-gathering protocols. The aim is to ensure that legal proceedings for social media offences are more effective, moving away from outcomes deemed insufficient, like a recent RM100 fine.
Supporting Licensing for Social Media Platforms

A significant aspect of the task force's mandate will be to support the upcoming licensing process for social media platforms, scheduled for implementation by January 1 next year. This licensing is intended to curb the use of fake accounts, which are frequently employed in cyberbullying and other malicious activities. By holding platforms accountable, the government seeks to reduce or eliminate the proliferation of such deceptive accounts.
Enhancing Platform Responsibility and Duty of Care

Through the licensing framework, the government expects social media platforms to assume a greater duty of care. This means platforms will be more responsible for addressing issues like cyberbullying, the spread of extremist content, and illegal activities such as drug trafficking and online gambling. The Ministry of Communications has already engaged with major platforms like X, Meta, TikTok, and WeChat, who have expressed willingness to be licensed, indicating a potential for improved platform governance.

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What is the main goal of the new social media task force?

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