Content moderation beefed up on TikTok including for Tamil

TikTok has beefed up their content moderation team to include vernacular languages, including Tamil language, said Fahmi Fadzil in response to a supplementary question from R Yuneswaran (PH-Segamat).

“Each platform must have content moderation team. for Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission there must be a complaint lodged. Most live sessions happen at midnight.

“The live session against the late Rajeswary Appahu happened around 3 and 4 am.”

“TikTok too is affected. They have raised the number of moderators for live sessions for vernacular languages, including Tamil,” said Fahmi.

Yuneswaran, in his supplementary question called for content moderation in multiple language including in Tamil. He also asked whether there was action that can be taken against social media platforms.

Fahmi said that social media platforms cannot go scott free over the pressing issues.

“The Cabinet is of the stand that the platform cannot wash off their hands. There is a need for stringent action. We will do that.

He also urged all the federal lawmakers to ensure children under the age of 13 are not on social media platforms.

“When you all meet under 13, make sure they don’t open social media accounts but these platforms its overlook in ensuring underage do not open accounts.”

There is no way for the platforms to ensure that the underage are kept away from social media.

In response to the originating question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) Fahmi said that inter ministerial efforts to combat cyberbullying have already started.

“The Communications Ministry is cooperating with the Home Ministry, Digital Ministry and the Minister in Prime Minister’s Department,” he said in reference to Law and Institutional Reforms Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said.

“We have had meetings on the 10 and 17 July. We are looking at regulations, enforcement and ongoing court cases too. We will present it to the cabinet before tabling it.”

He also said that the present laws that can be used against cyberbullying is limited to section 503 and 509 under the Penal Code for criminal intimidation and section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for degrading a person on social media.

“There is a need for new laws because the way we communicate has changed. The laws needs to be future proof.”

Fadhli also posed a supplementary question on whether opposition would be protected from becoming cyberbully victims.

He also questioned how the restrictions would be balanced with freedom of expression.

The opposition lawmaker also touched briefly on the RM100 fine imposed one of the suspects who was charged in the case of Rajeswary.

“No one can be a victim of cyberbullying. This cannot become a culture. In the case of Rajeswary, she is not a party member. She only sold cosmetics.

He also warned those who comment on social media platforms.

“This happened because some hid behind fake accounts.

“Some people think they can pose a comment and it will disappear.

The federal court judgment in 2021 ruled that online media platforms are responsible for the comments published. That balances freedom of expression and restrictions.

Rajeswary, better known as Esha, is a social media influencer who died on 5 July after being cyber bullied.

Two individuals have been charged in court in relations to this case.