PETALING JAYA: Dubious links that might lead to online scams or false advertising are on the radar of authorities.
A total of 24,453 links related to scams and 409 connected to false advertising were taken down in the first half of the year alone.
One of the those discovered are clickbait shopping links under the guise of juicy celebrity gossip, which seem to be the latest tactic employed by ecommerce sellers to lure unsuspecting users to their online store.
A sweep through social media showed that these sellers also use fake news of celebrities who are currently trending, along with their photos, to promote these links on online platforms.
Some even created URLs similar to well-known entertainment news sites or blogs to mask their dubious links.
Upon clicking on the link, one will be taken to popular ecommerce sites that sell items ranging from utensils to gadgets.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said there are two concerning elements to such links – clickbait tactics and misleading re-direction.
“These tactics often use sensationalised titles under the guise of celebrity gossip to attract clicks. Such practices may contribute to false or deceptive content, which could potentially breach the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA or Act 588),” she told The Star.
While the content itself may not always constitute false advertising, it can mislead users and redirect them to unrelated commercial content such as ecommerce sites, which can be deceptive, she added.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Communications Ministry, said Teo, do request online service providers to remove such links if they are found to be in violation of the CMA or any other laws.
She said as of July 1, MCMC had taken down 24,453 items related to scams and 409 linked to false advertisements this year.
“This is part of the MCMC’s ongoing efforts to protect consumers from misleading and potentially harmful content online.
“These include not only direct content removal but also collaboration with platform providers to ensure that such content is appropriately addressed,” she added.
Teo said the government is also actively engaging with social media platforms and has met with operators on at least 21 occasions since December 2022.
However, it is just as crucial for Malaysians to enhance their own digital literacy, she added.
“We all need to work together to report online crimes to protect others from falling victim to similar traps,” she said.
Users are advised to remain vigilant and cautious of sensational headlines to avoid falling for clickbait. If they encounter clickbait, they can report it directly to the platform provider using the “report” function.
And if users frequently encounter clickbait content from a specific account, they may consider blocking that account, said Teo.
She said it is crucial for users to exercise caution as clickbait can also be misused to redirect people to websites that may host scams, malware, phishing schemes, or misleading content.
“Avoid disclosing any personal information to unauthorised personnel or unknown entities,” she added.
Users are also advised to regularly verify any information with the relevant authorities or agencies when they encounter or receive any suspicious link.
“Check the credibility of the source before believing or sharing any information through it,” she said.
To report suspicious links or content, users can contact the MCMC via email at aduanskmm@mcmc.gov.my or call the hotline at 1800 188 030, which is available on Mondays to Fridays, from 8.30am to 5.30pm.
Alternatively, the MCMC Consumer Redress Portal can be accessed at https://aduan.mcmc.gov.my
