Fahmi Mcmc To Meet With Telegram Tomorrow

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Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, along with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), will meet with Telegram tomorrow.
The Lembah Pantai MP said this when asked if he has met the messaging platform regarding public concerns about its cybersecurity issues.
“They (Telegram) stated that they are ready to meet us,” he said.
Fahmi was speaking at a press conference after the Cyber ​​Security, Digital Economy, and Connectivity Awareness Raising Campaign in Kuala Lumpur today.
On June 7, Fahmi urged Telegram to meet with MCMC to address various cybersecurity concerns.
He said despite receiving firm recommendations from the MCMC, his ministry is giving Telegram the opportunity to engage directly with the commission.
He added that by collaborating with the MCMC and Bukit Aman, the issues related to the distribution of explicit content, drug sales, scams, and false information prevalent on the platform can be effectively tackled.
On May 28, Telegram reportedly stated its refusal to engage in political censorship and cited this as why it would not cooperate with the Communications and Digital Ministry.
A spokesperson for Telegram, Remi Vaughn, said the platform actively moderates harmful content such as the sale of illegal substances and pornography.
Vaughn mentioned that Telegram’s team of moderators proactively monitors the app and also relies on user reports to remove content that violates its terms of service.
Stern warning
Earlier, the minister cautioned against the dissemination of any content that may incite tensions regarding race, religion, or royalty (3R) during the upcoming state elections.
He said legal action would be taken against any individual or group found engaging in such behaviour.
In addition to this, Fahmi stressed that the integrity of the country’s democracy should not be compromised by irresponsible parties exploiting their right to freedom of speech, as witnessed during the 15th general election (GE15).
“There are certain parties that irresponsibly and deliberately spread 3R issues, especially during GE15.
“We do not want democracy to be abused on the basis of freedom of speech for these irresponsible parties to repeat their behaviour during the last general election to spread material that will destroy the harmony and values of Malaysia.
“I remind everyone to not distribute 3R content but if you do, be prepared to face the authorities,” Fahmi said.
The minister then said the MCMC has been instructed to step up monitoring during the state polls.
He further reiterated that amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) 2010 will be presented to the Parliament sometime between December and next March.
He also mentioned that a Cyber Security Bill would be tabled in Parliament by the end of this year.
However, he did not reveal much detail regarding the contents of the bill. - Mkini

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