Malaysia Online Safety Act
In force Malaysia · In force Jan 1, 2026 · next deadline Dec 28, 2026 (in 3 months)
Deadlines
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
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.
Related
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.