Why TikTok Needs Age Verification in Malaysia

A Growing Concern for Regulators - Earlier this week, Malaysia's Communications Minister, Fahmi Fadzil, revealed that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) had summoned TikTok's top management to discuss mounting concerns about the platform. Following that meeting, the minister made it clear that TikTok must take stronger action—particularly by introducing age verification for users.

Dissatisfaction With TikTok's Moderation

Fahmi did not mince words. He openly expressed that he was "generally very dissatisfied" with how TikTok is handling content moderation issues. According to him, the platform has repeatedly failed to take serious steps to address problems raised by Malaysian authorities. The minister even warned that if TikTok and other platforms continue to drag their feet, the government will not hesitate to take action, including penalties.

The Issue of Underage Users

One of the biggest red flags lies in the presence of children under the age of 13 on TikTok. While the platform's own rules prohibit those below that age from creating accounts, enforcement has been weak. As Fahmi highlighted, there must be a proper mechanism to verify user age—not just on paper, but in practice.

This isn't a problem unique to Malaysia. Globally, regulators and parents alike have raised concerns about children being exposed to harmful content or spending excessive time on social media. Countries such as the UK and members of the EU have already begun experimenting with stricter digital safety measures, and Malaysia may be heading in the same direction.

Looking Beyond TikTok

Fahmi also made it clear that TikTok isn't the only platform under scrutiny. He mentioned that representatives from X (formerly Twitter) and companies under the Meta umbrella (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) will soon be called in for similar discussions. Age verification could very well become a standard requirement across all major social media platforms operating in Malaysia.

What Happens Next?

While Fahmi did not specify exactly what kind of age verification system TikTok should adopt, he noted that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the police, and TikTok should study mechanisms already in use around the world. This could mean anything from linking accounts to government IDs, to more subtle AI-based systems that detect underage activity.

The message from Malaysia's communications minister is clear: social media companies cannot take user safety lightly anymore. With children's wellbeing at stake and growing dissatisfaction from authorities, TikTok and its peers may soon have to roll out tougher safeguards in Malaysia—or face consequences.