The government’s new social media age verification framework will be implemented in a secure, practical and privacy-respecting manner to ensure only eligible users can access social media platforms, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said.
Speakin in Dewan Rakyat today, Fahmi said licensed social media providers are required under the Child Protection Code (CPC) to implement age verification mechanisms, rather than identity verification, to enforce the minimum age requirement for account ownership.
Under the framework, individuals aged 16 and above are allowed to register and own social media accounts, while those below the age threshold will not be permitted to open or maintain accounts until they reach the required age.
The CPC and Risk Mitigation Code (RMC), published by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on May 22, came into force on June 1 under the Online Safety Act 2025.
Fahmi said the codes are designed to create a safer online environment, particularly for children, while ensuring personal data is protected throughout the verification process.
He stressed that social media providers must comply with personal data protection laws, including data minimisation and purpose limitation principles, by collecting only information necessary for age verification and disposing of it once the process is completed.
To prevent abuse, age verification must be supported by official government-issued documents such as MyKad, passports, birth certificates or other recognised records, rather than relying on self-declaration.
Fahmi said the initiative, known as “Wait Until 16”, is not intended to permanently block children from social media but to delay account ownership until they reach an age deemed more suitable for safe and responsible online engagement.
The measure forms part of broader efforts to protect children and families from online risks and harms while promoting a safer digital ecosystem.
