Why TikTok Malaysia took down over 650,000 videos

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TikTok has removed over 650,000 videos that have violated community guidelines, including misinformation and hate speech, according to a transparency report released by the platform recently.

It stated that the videos were removed in Malaysia from July 1, 2022, to September 2022.

This comes after the social media platform found itself in hot water after being called out by the Malaysian government for political advertising and provocative content.

According to media reports, the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) made nearly 350 requests to TikTok to take down comments and videos from the app. Communications and Multimedia Minister Fahmi Fadzil also told the media that he is in talks with the TikTok Malaysia team with regards to moderation level on the app after seeing many question it for political prejudice.

TikTok, however, claimed that 95% of these videos were removed before complaints came in.

With regard to the allegations, in a statement to Channel News Asia, TikTok Malaysia’s head of public policy Hafizin Tajudin said TikTok’s main aim is to provide its community with “a diverse range of relevant and entertaining content” and that to do so, it promotes “a small fraction of videos to help diversify the content experience”.

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Malaysia seems to be hunkering down on the safety of its users in recent months. Recently, deputy communications and digital minister Teo Nie Ching said at the Dewan Rekyat that platforms which propagate content that spreads misinformation and hate speech will be served with heavier penalties.

According to media reports, she added that there is a proposal to increase the penalty under Section 233. She also explained that MCMC does not have the agency to shut down fake content on platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. They could, however, make requests as they have done in the past.

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