To make the internet safer and fight cybercrimes, Malaysia’s government has announced plans to introduce a “kill switch.” This initiative was detailed by Minister Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Law and Institutional Reform, on July 28. The proposal is expected to be presented in Parliament during its next session in October.

The kill switch will hold social media and internet messaging service providers accountable, aiming to combat issues such as online scams, cyberbullying, child pornography, and sexual harassment. Minister Azalina emphasized that this move is in line with similar legal frameworks in other countries.

Additionally, the government is exploring further measures to enhance online safety, including potential amendments to the Penal Code. Among the upcoming initiatives is the International Legal Conference on Online Harms 2024, set for September 5 and 6. This event, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, will feature experts and international advocates for social media accountability, including Frances Haugen and Dr. Taylor Owen. They will discuss pressing topics such as cybercrime, child protection, social media regulation, and the impact of artificial intelligence.

“This conference will be attended by experts and international advocates for social media accountability and transparency, such as Frances Haugen and Dr Taylor Owen, to discuss issues like cybercrime, child protection, social media regulation, and the rise of artificial intelligence,” Ms Azalina stated.