CYBERJAYA, Malaysia, Sept 22, 2025 – Malaysia’s Communications Minister. Datuk Fahmi Fadzil accused Meta of failing to fully cooperate in combating online criminal activities, following a high-level meeting with company representatives on Monday.
The discussions, held at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) office, involved key officials from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Home Ministry, the Finance Ministry, the National Financial Crime Prevention Centre (NFCC), and the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA).
The meeting focused on pressing issues plaguing Meta’s platforms, particularly Facebook, including online gambling, scams, the spread of fake news, sensitive content related to religion, race, and the royal institution (known as 3R issues), as well as the sale of prohibited products like e-cigarette liquids containing drugs.
According to data shared by the minister, as of September 19, 2025, authorities had submitted 168,774 content takedown requests to Meta for Facebook alone. This figure represents 59% of all takedown requests across social media platforms, making Facebook the most complained-about service.
Of these, 120,127 requests targeted online gambling content, but only 114,665 items were removed. For scams, 37,722 requests were made, with 36,918 successfully taken down. The remaining unaddressed content continues to circulate on the platform, raising significant concerns about public safety.
Citing statistics from PDRM’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK), Fahmi highlighted that e-commerce fraud cases on Meta’s platforms—Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—from 2023 to August 2025 resulted in cumulative losses exceeding RM248 million (about $57 million), involving 18,128 reported incidents.
“This indicates that Meta has yet to provide full cooperation in eradicating cybercrimes,” Fahmi said in a statement. “This impacts the authorities’ efforts to protect the public from escalating online threats.”
Despite the criticisms, Meta assured participants that it would enhance its efforts and collaboration to handle illegal content more effectively.
All social media platforms, including Meta, have been urged to implement stronger age and identity verification mechanisms, such as integrating Malaysia’s national ID (MyKad) or MyDigital ID. Current systems have proven inadequate in blocking underage users and protecting them from inappropriate content.
The MADANI government emphasized it would not compromise on digital security. “Meta and all social media providers must take greater responsibility to ensure content violating national laws is promptly removed,” the statement read.
The Communications Ministry, along with enforcement agencies, plans to intensify monitoring and consider further actions if Meta’s cooperation does not improve.
Fahmi’s remarks come amid growing global scrutiny of social media giants over content moderation, with Malaysia ramping up regulatory pressure to safeguard its digital ecosystem.