Reliable national and regional news coverage.
Vietnam is drafting regulations to restrict social media posting by children under 16, requiring parental supervision and age-appropriate content filters. The move reflects growing global concern over online safety for minors.
EU regulators have determined that TikTok breaches digital safety standards for minors through public profiles and algorithmic recommendations. The platform faces potential fines of up to 6% of annual turnover if found in violation of the Digital Services Act.
France has passed legislation banning social media for children under 15, making it the first European Union member state to impose such a restriction. The measure passed with overwhelming parliamentary support.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil says social media activity during the Negeri Sembilan state election campaign remains largely orderly, with authorities receiving only 16 complaints since campaigning began on July 23.
Malaysia's communications regulator removed 12,353 deepfake posts in the first six months of 2024, while courts handed down RM79,000 in fines for fake news cases. New AI labeling requirements now apply.
An independent candidate contesting the Sri Tanjung seat in Negeri Sembilan's state election will appear in court next month following charges related to a social media post from January.
Thailand has fast-tracked judicial processes to suspend and remove illegal online content as the volume of unlawful URLs explodes from tens of thousands to millions, targeting gambling, fraud and scams.
Twenty-five US Republican lawmakers have urged President Trump to take trade action against the European Union's Digital Markets Act, arguing EU tech rules unfairly target American companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta.
Malaysia's communications regulator is advocating for consistent legal frameworks between the physical and digital realms to combat escalating online threats. Derek John Fernandez from MCMC argues that weaker digital regulations embolden criminals.
France's Parliament is racing to pass legislation banning social media use for anyone under 15, alongside restrictions on mobile phones in secondary schools. The move reflects growing global concern about mental health impacts on young people.
The MCMC has called in an individual for questioning regarding online content allegedly breaching sensitive 3R (Race, Religion, Royalty) issues involving Negeri Sembilan's ruler, Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir.
YouTube has appealed a Los Angeles jury verdict holding it and Meta liable for a young woman's social media addiction and mental health problems, marking a significant moment in tech regulation.
Google has urged the European Union's highest court to reject regulators' attempt to reinstate a €1.49 billion fine, arguing the European Commission's case against it contains fundamental errors in assessing alleged anticompetitive conduct.
Indonesia has intensified its fight against online gambling by blocking 3.7 million websites and shutting down thousands of bank accounts since late 2024, with authorities adopting a holistic approach targeting the entire illicit ecosystem rather than isolated platforms.
Switzerland's competition authority is investigating Google's decision to remove the search engine choice feature from Android phones, which previously allowed users to select their preferred default search provider during device setup.
A political activist has been ordered to pay RM11,000 after a Sessions court found him guilty over an offensive TikTok video directed at former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri. The judge cautioned that subsequent violations could lead to imprisonment.
South Korea has strengthened laws against online misinformation with penalties up to 1 billion won, but journalists and opposition lawmakers warn the vague definitions could suppress legitimate criticism and undermine press freedom.
Malaysia's MACC and MCMC have expanded their collaborative framework to jointly tackle the growing challenge of harmful online content and improve crisis communication management across the nation.
Malaysia's Communications Ministry is currently assessing how well licensed social media platforms comply with two new safety codes that took effect on June 1 under the Online Safety Act 2025, Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching said.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has activated its Network Monitoring Centre to handle complaints from the public during Johor's state election, set for July 11 with early voting on July 7.
India's technology ministry has directed Meta's WhatsApp to pause its planned username feature pending regulatory consultations, citing heightened risks of fraud and impersonation that could endanger users across the region.
Australia is moving to strengthen its pioneering social media ban for children after evidence shows the original legislation is failing to keep young users off platforms. The government is considering enhanced enforcement powers and digital duty of care laws.
Malaysia's Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has announced that social media platforms must implement secure age-verification mechanisms under the Child Protection Code, effective June 1. Users must be at least 16 years old to access accounts.
Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin has indicated that support is consolidating across Europe for restricting children's access to social media platforms, with the European Commission expected to present formal proposals within months.
The European Commission is preparing to escalate its investigation into Meta, alleging that Facebook and Instagram employ addictive design techniques that exploit children through algorithmic manipulation and the so-called "rabbit-hole effect."
The UAE has announced a ban on social media use for children under 15, becoming the first Arab nation to implement such restrictions. Platforms have 12 months to enforce age verification or risk being blocked entirely.
India's Delhi High Court has rejected Telegram's challenge to a temporary ban implemented by the government to combat alleged exam fraud. The messaging app, with over 150 million Indian users, remains blocked until June 22.
India has temporarily blocked Telegram after the platform was allegedly used to facilitate fraud targeting candidates in a national medical entrance examination. The action follows prior breaches involving leaked exam papers.