Malaysia’s communications regulator has filed a civil lawsuit against two Telegram channels for sharing harmful content.

The channels, “Edisi Siasat” and “Edisi Khas,” are accused of violating the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, according to a statement from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on June 19, 2025.

The MCMC claims that the content from these channels could undermine trust in public institutions and disrupt societal peace.

This lawsuit represents the first legal action of its kind against a social media platform provider in Malaysia.

The MCMC noted that the lawsuit follows unsuccessful attempts to engage with Telegram to resolve the issue.

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🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Malaysia’s evolving digital enforcement reflects regional trends

Malaysia’s legal action against Telegram channels represents a significant escalation in its digital governance approach, marking the first civil suit of its kind against a social media platform provider.

This case follows Malaysia’s broader regulatory shift, including plans to implement licensing requirements for social media platforms with over 8 million users by 2025, aimed at combating issues like cyberbullying and misinformation 1.

In 2023 alone, Malaysia reported over 34,000 online scam cases resulting in financial losses exceeding RM1.2 billion, giving authorities practical justification for increased platform accountability 2.

The Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 has long been the government’s primary legal tool for digital content regulation, with previous enforcement actions carrying penalties up to RM50,000 ($12,274) and prison sentences of up to one year 3.

This regulatory approach aligns with wider Southeast Asian trends, positioning Malaysia as a regional leader in asserting digital sovereignty and demanding platform accountability 4.

2️⃣ Telegram’s minimal moderation approach faces global regulatory challenges

The Malaysian lawsuit highlights Telegram’s ongoing content moderation difficulties that have attracted regulatory scrutiny worldwide.

European officials have specifically criticized Telegram for enabling the spread of disinformation, particularly regarding the Ukraine conflict, demonstrating that Malaysia’s concerns about harmful content reflect global frustrations 5.

The platform has recently begun revising its privacy policies and considering withdrawing from countries where it cannot balance user privacy with regulatory compliance, signaling a potential shift in its long-standing minimal oversight approach 6.

Telegram operates in a challenging middle ground, large enough to cause significant harm through unmoderated content but often below regulatory thresholds that would trigger more stringent oversight, as seen in European regulatory frameworks 5.

3️⃣ Digital governance balances competing priorities in polarized media landscape

Malaysia’s action against Telegram channels reflects the complex balance between controlling harmful content and maintaining freedom of expression.

The government’s February 2024 introduction of a revised Journalism Code of Ethics demonstrates ongoing efforts to address digital media challenges while raising concerns about potential restrictions on press freedom 7.

Public trust in Malaysian media has been damaged by years of political control under previous administrations, creating a challenging environment for any new regulatory measures 8.

The government emphasizes that digital regulation aims for accountability rather than censorship, highlighting the delicate balancing act between safety and free expression 1.

The case against Telegram channels with large followerships (nearly 1.2 million subscribers for “Edisi Siasat”) indicates authorities are particularly concerned with content that reaches substantial audiences and potentially undermines public institutions.

Recent Telegram developments

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