Today's top Malaysian news, sport and lifestyle.
A Singapore court has sentenced a 22-year-old man to nine years and seven months' imprisonment, 12 strokes of the cane, and a S$3,000 fine for sexually abusing two 13-year-old girls. He misrepresented his age to both victims.
Australia's eSafety Commissioner has uncovered a surge in sexual extortion cases targeting young men through social media, with over 2,200 complaints in six months. Instagram and WhatsApp are the primary platforms used by criminals.
Malaysia's anti-corruption and communications regulators are deepening collaboration to tackle harmful online content and strengthen their joint crisis communication strategies.
Singaporean actress Eswari Gunasagar has publicly detailed her experience with AI-generated intimate images circulated online, criticizing both the technology and society's tendency to blame victims rather than support them.
Malaysia's Communications Ministry is assessing whether social media platforms licensed locally are meeting requirements under the Online Safety Act 2025, which took effect in June. The evaluation focuses on two key codes designed to protect children and reduce online harms.
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.
Malaysia's parliament has approved the Cybercrimes Bill 2026, legislation designed to combat deepfakes and the distribution of non-consensual intimate images. The 61-clause measure includes procedural safeguards to protect citizens' fundamental rights and privacy.
The US House passed legislation requiring tech platforms to implement safety measures for children, including age verification and parental controls. However, senators are pushing for stricter provisions holding companies legally accountable for harmful content.
Malaysia has taken down over 11,600 deepfake videos and images since 2024, with complaints skyrocketing eightfold to nearly 8,000 cases by mid-2025. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching outlined enforcement measures under the new Online Safety Act.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that social media platforms failing to implement age-verification mechanisms under Malaysia's Online Safety Act 2025 could face penalties reaching RM10 million, with MCMC empowered to enforce compliance.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has briefed Sultan Nazrin Shah on the government's initiatives to enhance communication infrastructure and expand service coverage across Perak, with online safety also highlighted as a priority.