KUALA LUMPUR – Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-PH) has told TikTok executives to cease removing pro-Palestine content from the social media platform despite the company insisting its neutrality on Israel’s war in Gaza.
In the Dewan Rakyat today, Teo said that the ministry and TikTok executives held a meeting recently to receive clarification on the alleged automatic removal of content supporting Palestine.
However, Teo said the executives told her that the platform did not take any sides on the issue.
“We have received complaints from the public that TikTok’s pro-Palestine content has been taken down by TikTok, and that is why we have called in TikTok for an explanation.
“In the meeting session, TikTok (executives) denied that they were in favour of any party. (The ministry) has given a very clear message to TikTok, and also other platform providers, that Malaysia’s stance (on supporting Palestine) was very clear.
“We do not allow or encourage the taking down of any content that is in favour of Palestine,” she said in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (Jelebu-BN).
The supplementary question touched on the ministry’s stance on TikTok’s removal of “content inciting violence” concerning Palestinians under siege, as well as songs that praised Hamas fighters.
However, Teo said she also advised tech companies to prohibit content that is “too violent”, as users may experience emotional distress on the matter.
On November 9, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil met TikTok and Meta representatives to discuss content regulation issues, which involved Palestine-related content being removed from TikTok, as well as online gambling and the “coordinated inauthentic behaviour” strategy on the platforms.
On October 22, Fahmi expressed dissatisfaction with TikTok’s explanation regarding the automatic removal of content containing words like “Hamas”, a concern raised by several TikTok users.
He also said he would seek guidance from Wisma Putra on various censorship issues with TikTok in relation to the war.
Meanwhile, Teo in the Dewan Rakyat today said that the ministry has yet to reach a decision on making licensing registration for the TikTok Shop e-commerce platform mandatory.
Teo highlighted that 96% of the platform’s sellers are based in Malaysia, with only 4% operating from abroad. Emphasising the potential for both TikTok Shop (e-vendors) and content creators (affiliates) to benefit from the platform, Teo mentioned that discussions on this matter will involve other relevant ministries, such as the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry. – November 21, 2023