TikTok and other social media platforms are in the spotlight following reports detailing plans to study the need to regulate social media platforms due to concerns that they may pose a threat to the nation’s well-being. — Reuters
PETALING JAYA: In a bid to maintain the integrity of its platform, TikTok said it has removed more than 650,000 videos in Malaysia that violated its community guidelines, including content with misinformation and hate speech in Q3 2022.
A transparency report published on its website showed that approximately 659,306 videos were removed in Malaysia from July 1, 2022 to Sept 30, 2022. The company claimed that 95% of these videos were removed proactively, explaining that they were identified and taken down before they were reported.
“TikTok removes harmful misinformation and accounts that attempt to repeatedly post it on our platform. Misleading content may also be ineligible for recommendation into For You feeds,” Hafizin Tajudin, head of public policy for TikTok Malaysia, said in a statement to LifestyleTech.
Hafizin said that the company addresses content and behaviour that violates its community guidelines through a combination of policies, technology and moderation.
TikTok and other social media platforms are in the spotlight following reports detailing plans to study the need to regulate social media platforms due to concerns that these platforms may pose a threat to the nation’s well-being.
Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said that heavier penalties were being considered with amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act.
“There is a proposal to increase the penalty under Section 233 under Act. However, if we feel that at the end of the day, it (social media platform) is still a dangerous matter, we will study how it can be regulated,” she said in Dewan Rakyat on March 13.
She explained that the industry regulator Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Communications (MCMC) has no power to shut down fake content on platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. They could, however, request for the content to be removed.
Hafizin said the company is open to discuss and address concerns about content on its platform.
“We have been actively engaging with the Ministry of Communications and Digital and MCMC to address their concerns about the spread of fake news, scams, and harmful content to create a safer, more empowering space for everyone,” he said.
