Today's top Malaysian news, sport and lifestyle.
Malaysia's Dewan Negara has passed the Communications and Multimedia Commission (Amendment) Bill 2026, introducing key governance reforms including a ban on politicians serving as commission chairman and strengthening the regulator's digital enforcement capabilities.
Malaysia's law minister has urged stronger oversight of online content during elections, calling on the communications regulator to maintain equitable standards across all digital platforms to prevent unfair advantages.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to embrace technological progress while maintaining strong ethical principles, warning that innovation divorced from morality poses risks to society.
Maxim Malaysia's first Safety and Legal Compliance Report shows safety concerns represent less than one per cent of customer enquiries, with over 90 per cent of all queries resolved during the first half of 2026.
A coordinated global movement to shield children from social media has gathered momentum, with five countries already enforcing restrictions and dozens more preparing legislation. Malaysia's June implementation joins Australia, Indonesia, and others in setting age limits.
The European Commission has launched enforcement action against TikTok, citing failures to meet EU child-safety standards. The platform risks a substantial penalty if it cannot address concerns about public profiles and algorithmic recommendations affecting minors.
Malaysia's communications regulator has successfully removed 12,353 deepfake and manipulated media posts since January, with new rules now requiring social platforms to label AI-generated content.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching has stressed that accountability and public-focused governance must underpin Malaysia's digital future, urging collective action from platforms, regulators and communities.
France has become the first European Union country to restrict social media access for children under 15, following parliamentary approval. The measure takes effect from September for new accounts and January for existing ones.
Twenty-five Republican US lawmakers have written to President Trump urging him to challenge Europe's Digital Markets Act through trade probes, arguing EU regulations discriminate against American technology companies.
Malaysia's communications regulator is advocating for tighter alignment between physical and digital laws to combat rising online threats, particularly those endangering children. The country has strengthened its legal arsenal with the Online Safety Act 2025.
France is moving swiftly to enact legislation banning social media use for children under 15, a measure backed by President Macron that reflects growing European concern over youth mental health and harmful online content.
Google has reversed course on its app store strategy, agreeing to allow competing marketplaces to operate directly within its Play Store for US users starting mid-July, ending a legal standoff with federal regulators.
Malaysia's Islamic Dakwah Foundation (YADIM) has thrown its weight behind a government initiative to introduce accreditation standards for online religious preachers, citing concerns about misinformation and the need to protect public trust in Islamic teachings.
Google has lost its legal challenge against a €750,000 fine imposed by Italy for gambling advertising on YouTube. The EU's highest court rejected the company's claim that platform liability exemptions shield it from responsibility for partner-uploaded content.
The British government has announced plans for a default midnight curfew on social media for teenagers aged 16 and 17, following its earlier ban proposal for under-16s. Tech companies will face legal requirements and regulatory sanctions.
Google has appealed to the EU Court of Justice to dismiss regulators' challenge against a lower court's decision to scrap a €1.49 billion antitrust fine, arguing the Commission's case contains fundamental flaws.
A UK government-commissioned study of 309 households found that teenagers reported significant improvements in sleep, concentration and wellbeing when social media use was restricted, though enforcement proved challenging.
The European Parliament's failure to reach consensus on child protection measures has left digital platforms operating without legal certainty. The April expiry of a voluntary reporting mechanism has reignited tensions between privacy advocates and online safety advocates.
The Sessions Court has imposed an RM11,000 fine on blogger Jufazli Shi Ahmad for posting offensive content on TikTok targeting former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the Umno party, in a conviction that highlights ongoing tensions around digital speech.
Malaysia's anti-corruption and communications regulators are deepening collaboration to tackle harmful online content and strengthen their joint crisis communication strategies.
The US Supreme Court has declined to block Texas's App Store Accountability Act, which mandates age verification for app downloads. The decision upholds a lower court ruling allowing the controversial law to take effect despite free speech concerns.
Parliament will examine the Online Safety Act 2025's implementation framework, school safety protocols, and government support for traders impacted by Middle East supply chain disruptions during today's sitting.
French President Emmanuel Macron and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus have issued a joint call for tighter regulation of digital platforms, citing growing concerns about their impact on children's wellbeing and development.
Indonesia has successfully pressured TikTok and YouTube into deactivating 4.7 million accounts belonging to children under 16, marking a significant escalation in the country's battle against online harms to minors.