KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has identified 274 advertisements on Facebook impersonating the Attorney General Chambers (AGC) within just 13 days.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching attributed the issue to the rampant misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) by irresponsible parties.
She stated that social media platforms should be held accountable, as their failure to regulate such activities ultimately harms the public.
"These scammers are paying Meta to deceive Malaysians, which is why it is crucial that such platforms are held responsible.
"They must not be allowed to accept money from scammers to cheat Malaysians," she said during in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Teo was responding to a supplementary question from S. Kesavan (PH-Sungai Siput) regarding the enforcement measures and regulations implemented by the ministry to curb the spread of sexually explicit commercial content on social media platforms."
Teo also calls for members of parliament to support the 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.
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.