KUALA LUMPUR: Some social media platforms are becoming a major hub for the "dark side" community to market explicit content including nude photographs and sex videos.
According to Kosmo!, some women are selling photos of their private parts for as little as RM12 on X, while one user with over 100,000 followers charges "fans" RM100 just to reply to their messages.
Most of these account owners do not display their faces in images they upload or cover their faces, choosing only to show their bodies.
Malaysian Cyber Consumers Association president, Sirajuddin Jalil said Telegram is also a popular platform for exchanging explicit stories, photos and videos.
"Some dark side communities collaborate in creating immoral content," he said, adding some even offer prostitution services through Telegram.
"There are different charges for different services," he said, adding some in the dark side community comprised of people from diverse backgrounds and careers.
"If this is not curbed, this community will grow and more teenagers, children and school students will be exposed to these dark side accounts," he added.
Sirajuddin welcomed the government's decision to require social media platforms and online messaging services to be registered with the government.
Yesterday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said all social media and online messaging platforms with at least eight million users in Malaysia must apply for a licence from the government from August 1.
It said this is to ensure a safer online ecosystem. The licence requirement will be enforced from Jan 1, 2025.
Previously, it was reported that some people were selling "Made in Malaysia" pornography on social media.
Last month, a social media account owner, Siti Amiza Baharuddin or "Miza Ozawa", was sentenced to two months in jail for offering prostitution services on Telegram.
Prior to that, A man Hasli Ikhwan Arif Zul Hasli or "Hot Daddy" and two women, Norhidayah Mahadi and Norshazrina Md Zamri were charged with spreading lewd videos on social media.