Fake social media accounts monitored

The Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will monitor the existence of fake accounts, including to investigate and take the necessary enforcement action, said Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.

Of late, he said, many fake social media accounts such as on Facebook and Twitter had been created for the purpose of spreading false content that might adversely impact the country's social and economic well-being as well as national security.

He reminded that it was an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to make or create content that is obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in nature.

"Many are already aware that fake accounts are primarily used by those who have bad intent, including to distribute fake, defamatory and seditious content that is against the laws of our country," he told Bernama after attending the weekly Cabinet meeting here today.

Salleh said the issue was not specific to Malaysia alone.

He said recently, Facebook has been reported to have taken action against 30,000 fake accounts in France during the country''s Presidential election as part of its efforts to curb the proliferation of fake news.

"Apart from enforcement action, MCMC will continue to work with service providers such as Facebook to remove these fake accounts," he said.

--BERNAMA