Data, privacy and AI rules

12 due in 60 days · 190 regulations

Malaysia Online Safety Act

In force Malaysia · In force Jan 1, 2026 · next deadline Dec 28, 2026 (in 2 months)

Deadlines

Coming up
ComplianceDec 28 · in 2 months · Source
Online Safety Plan due to MCMCLicensed providers must prepare an Online Safety Plan and submit it to MCMC within 180 days of 1 July 2026. Updates are due each year and after material changes.
Already passed
Takes effectJul 1 · 4 months ago · Source
Online Safety Plan and compounding regulations in forceP.U. (A) 244/2026 and P.U. (A) 245/2026 take effect.
Takes effectJan 1 · 10 months ago · Source
Online Safety Act and first regulations in forceThe Act and the Period, Fees, Form of Undertaking and Appeal Tribunal regulations take effect.

Summaries for reference, not legal advice. Check the official text.

What it does

Puts duties on licensed application service providers and content application service providers to reduce users' exposure to harmful content. They must issue user guidelines, give users safety tools and reporting channels, protect child users, make priority harmful content (such as child sexual abuse material) inaccessible, and prepare an Online Safety Plan. An Online Safety Appeal Tribunal hears appeals.

Who it applies to
Application service providers and content application service providers licensed under Malaysia's communications licensing regime, including large social media and messaging platforms operating in Malaysia.
Penalties
Fines of up to MYR 1 million for many offences, with lower caps (MYR 100,000 to MYR 500,000) for others. Offences can be compounded under the 2026 compounding regulations.
Enforced by
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
Official name
Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866)
Citation
Act 866; commencement P.U. (B) 449/2025
Topics
Online safety, Children
Verified 2026-09-25 lom.agc.gov.my lom.agc.gov.my lom.agc.gov.my
Research notes

Royal Assent 2025-05-06; published 2025-05-22. The 2026-12-28 date is 180 days after the 2026-07-01 start of the Online Safety Plan Regulations. Providers licensed after that date have 180 days from licence start.

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Questions about Malaysia Online Safety Act
What are the Malaysia Online Safety Act compliance deadlines?
Jan 1, 2026: Online Safety Act and first regulations in force. Jul 1, 2026: Online Safety Plan and compounding regulations in force. Dec 28, 2026: Online Safety Plan due to MCMC.
When does Malaysia Online Safety Act take effect?
Malaysia Online Safety Act took effect on Jan 1, 2026. The next milestone is Dec 28, 2026: Online Safety Plan due to MCMC.
Who does Malaysia Online Safety Act apply to?
Application service providers and content application service providers licensed under Malaysia's communications licensing regime, including large social media and messaging platforms operating in Malaysia.
What are the penalties under Malaysia Online Safety Act?
Fines of up to MYR 1 million for many offences, with lower caps (MYR 100,000 to MYR 500,000) for others. Offences can be compounded under the 2026 compounding regulations.