ARTICLE 19, CIJ and Sinar Project raise concerns over Malaysia’s age-verification plans
Three civil society organisations have called on Malaysia to withdraw its under-16 social media ban and proposed age-verification measures. They argue that the policy could affect privacy, freedom of expression and access to digital services.
ARTICLE 19, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Sinar Project have raised concerns about Malaysia’s planned social media ban for children under 16 and the use of government-issued documents for age verification.
In a joint statement published on 29 May 2026, the organisations said the measures were being introduced without sufficient evidence, parliamentary scrutiny or public consultation. The policy was scheduled to take effect on 1 June 2026.
The groups acknowledged concerns about children’s safety online. However, they argued that mandatory identity checks could increase data collection and surveillance, expose sensitive information and exclude people who do not have recognised identification documents.
They also said the approach did not reflect feedback submitted during consultations on the implementation of Malaysia’s Online Safety Act 2025. According to the statement, many participants supported risk-based age-assurance measures rather than a single verification method based on official identity documents.
ARTICLE 19, CIJ and Sinar Project further argued that the Online Safety Act does not provide a clear legal basis for a blanket ban. They said Section 18 of the Act assumes that children will access digital platforms and focuses instead on reducing risks in those environments.
The organisations warned that a ban could limit children’s access to information, increase social isolation and push some users towards less regulated online services. They also said age checks could create additional privacy risks without addressing harmful platform practices and business models.
They called on the government to withdraw the ban and proposed verification methods, conduct further consultations and introduce platform regulation based on human rights and child-safety assessments.
