Grab claims not informed on open letter to PM on social media/internet services licensing
PETALING JAYA: Grab was not informed nor consulted on the recent open letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, that was made by the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) on concerns regarding licensing for social media and private messaging platforms.
In a statement on Monday (Aug 26), Grab Malaysia said, “The proposed regulation does not impact our operations and therefore we had no part in it.
“We did not and are not commenting on the matter.
“We remain committed to collaborating with the government, reflecting our mission to contribute to the nation’s development,” the statement read.
In the open letter, the AIC highlighted the potential negative impacts of the proposed licensing framework on the digital economy.
The group, which represents companies such as Meta, Google, Apple, Snap and Grab, argues that the new regulations could hinder innovation, deter investments, and place undue compliance burdens on businesses.
The AIC said the proposed changes represent a significant shift in Malaysia’s regulatory environment.
“Introducing such a change without a clear roadmap or sufficient industry engagement risks destabilising an ecosystem that relies on innovation, flexibility, and openness,” the letter stated.
The group also noted the absence of formal public consultations prior to the publication of the Information Paper and FAQs on Aug 1, 2024. According to the AIC, this lack of dialogue has created uncertainty within the industry about the scope and implications of the new obligations.
The Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that all social media services and Internet messaging services with at least eight million registered users in Malaysia must apply for a Class License beginning Aug 1.
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