KUALA LUMPUR – TikTok has increased the number of moderators to monitor content and live sessions, including those conducted in vernacular languages such as Tamil.
This followed the cyberbullying incident in which influencer Rajeswary Appahu, also known as Esha, took her own life.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the social media platform was also affected by the incident and expressed regret.
“It is understood that the TikTok live video involving the late Rajeswary took place in the early hours of the morning, between 3am and 4am.
“Therefore, the monitoring methods for TikTok live videos must be revised.
“During my discussion with TikTok, they expressed concern over the incident and have taken immediate action.
“They have promptly increased the number of moderators to monitor content and live sessions in vernacular languages, including Tamil,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to R. Yuneswaran (Segamat-PH), who asked how extensively the ministry monitors content on social media in various languages.
Esha died on July 5, reportedly after facing a month of online bullying.
Before her death, Esha lodged a police report at the Dang Wangi police station, detailing the violent threats made against her.
She reported that a TikTok account with the handle @dulal_brotherss hosted a livestream on June 30 with around 700 viewers, during which participants made rape and death threats against her.
Following her death, police arrested Shalini Periasamy, 33, known as @alphaquinnsha on TikTok, at her home in Rawang, Selangor, on July 8. Shalini was remanded for five days to assist with investigations.
Three days later, police arrested B. Sathiskumar, 44, a TikToker behind the account known as Dulal Brothers, who was remanded for four days.
Shalini pleaded guilty and was fined RM100 under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for insulting with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.
Meanwhile, Sathiskumar, who was unrepresented, appealed for a lighter sentence as he needed to support his wife, who is disabled, and their three children. The case mention is fixed for August 16.
Every social media platform has a team of moderators, while the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission monitors based on public complaints, Fahmi explained.
Separately, Fahmi also urged all MPs, including the opposition, to work with the government to make sure children under the age of 13 do not own a social media account.
While platforms prohibit children under 13 from owning an account, they often fail to verify the ages of their users, Fahmi added.
“Therefore, I urge all MPs to work together to ensure that our internet is not only cheap, fast, and extensive but also safer for our children and families,” he added. – July 18, 2024