Malaysia files lawsuit against Telegram for harmful content

Malaysia’s communications regulator has filed a civil lawsuit against two Telegram channels for sharing harmful content.

The channels, “Edisi Siasat” and “Edisi Khas,” are accused of violating the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, according to a statement from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on June 19, 2025.

The MCMC claims that the content from these channels could undermine trust in public institutions and disrupt societal peace.

This lawsuit represents the first legal action of its kind against a social media platform provider in Malaysia.

The MCMC noted that the lawsuit follows unsuccessful attempts to engage with Telegram to resolve the issue.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Malaysia’s evolving digital enforcement reflects regional trends

Malaysia’s legal action against Telegram channels represents a significant escalation in its digital governance approach, marking the first civil suit of its kind against a social media platform provider.

This case follows Malaysia’s broader regulatory shift, including plans to implement licensing requirements for social media platforms with over 8 million users by 2025, aimed at combating issues like cyberbullying and misinformation 1.

In 2023 alone, Malaysia reported over 34,000 online scam cases resulting in financial losses exceeding RM1.2 billion, giving authorities practical justification for increased platform accountability 2.

The Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 has long been the government’s primary legal tool for digital content regulation, with previous enforcement actions carrying penalties up to RM50,000 ($12,274) and prison sentences of up to one year 3.

This regulatory approach aligns with wider Southeast Asian trends, positioning Malaysia as a regional leader in asserting digital sovereignty and demanding platform accountability 4.

2️⃣ Telegram’s minimal moderation approach faces global regulatory challenges

The Malaysian lawsuit highlights Telegram’s ongoing content moderation difficulties that have attracted regulatory scrutiny worldwide.

European officials have specifically criticized Telegram for enabling the spread of disinformation, particularly regarding the Ukraine conflict, demonstrating that Malaysia’s concerns about harmful content reflect global frustrations 5.