KUALA LUMPUR: Certain quarters are using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate pornographic content, prompting the removal of 1,125 overall explicit items this year alone.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching also revealed a concerning rise in content involving the sexual exploitation of children, which reached 800 cases as of Dec 1 this year.
"The removal of pornographic content by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has increased significantly, from 186 cases in 2022 to 1,125 as of Dec 1 this year.
"Similarly, content involving the sexual exploitation of children has surged during the same period, rising from 34 cases to 800 this year.
"This is why we proposed amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, under which anyone found distributing obscene content for commercial purposes could face imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to RM1 million, or both.
"We hope members of the Dewan Rakyat will support this Bill," she said in the Dewan Rakyat.
Teo was responding to a supplementary question from S Kesavan (PH-Sungai Siput) regarding enforcement measures and regulations implemented by the ministry to curb the spread of sexually explicit commercial content promoted on social media platforms.
On Monday, the amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act were tabled for its first reading to pave the way for social media companies to be more proactive and accountable for online harm occurring on their platforms.
The amendments will focus on three key areas, namely industry development, network security and social media and licensing.
The amendments also seek to improve Section 233 of the act, which touches on improper use of network facilities, by clearly defining the meaning of "terlampau jelik" or grossly offensive.