Malaysia Demands Explanation from TikTok Over Dissemination of Misleading News Against Monarchy

Malaysia’s internet regulatory authority has instructed TikTok to take action against objectionable and misleading content targeting the monarchy. In a statement released on Thursday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) directed TikTok to take “immediate corrective measures” regarding a fake account allegedly related to King Sultan Ibrahim. According to the commission, the social media company must strengthen its content moderation policies.

Additionally, TikTok has been ordered to provide a “formal explanation” for its failure to prevent the spread of “highly offensive, false, threatening, and defamatory” content such as AI-generated videos and manipulated images. The regulatory body emphasized the seriousness of false content and material that disrupt public order on online platforms, especially when such content involves the monarchy.

Following unsatisfactory responses to earlier notices, the commission issued this stricter directive. TikTok, established by the Chinese tech company ByteDance, has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter. Malaysia, a constitutional monarchy, criminalizes expressions that spread “hatred or contempt” against the royal family under its Sedition Act of 1948.