Malaysia mulls banning Sugarbook amid surge in student usage

Details:

• The country’s deputy minister of religious affairs, Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, said action must be taken against the platform and its users after the app attracted a high number of student users from local universities.
• There has been a 40% surge in the number of sign-ups on Sugarbook, according to the company. The increase has been attributed to students turning to “sugar dating” to fund their expenses, including tuition fees and household needs, among others.

Context:

• The increase in Sugarbook’s registered users comes amid challenges brought about by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, making it harder for students to afford education.
• Darren Chan, the founder and CEO of Sugarbook, argued that the platform provides students with more opportunities for economic relief during the pandemic.

Correction (February 16, 7:29 pm): This article was corrected to imply that Malaysia has not confirmed the banning of Sugarbook, but is considering the ban.