Malaysia Pulse delivers breaking news, politics, business, sports and lifestyle coverage from Malaysia and Southeast Asia — trusted, timely and independent.
European leaders are rallying behind plans to restrict children's social media access, with Irish PM Micheál Martin stating momentum is building for continent-wide protections ahead of Ireland's EU presidency.
The European Commission is moving forward with a formal investigation into Meta's Facebook and Instagram, alleging the platforms employ addictive design tactics that harm children's wellbeing through algorithmic manipulation.
Google's YouTube has settled a lawsuit filed by a Florida teenager who claimed the platform harmed his mental health through addictive design. The move comes as over 3,300 similar cases await resolution.
The European Commission is preparing to escalate its investigation into Meta, alleging that Facebook and Instagram employ design practices deliberately engineered to addict young users. The regulatory action reflects mounting global pressure on social media giants.
Malaysia's Deputy National Unity Minister R. Yuneswaran has urged greater investment in mother-tongue education as a means to address recurring 3R (race, religion, royalty) controversies that fuel social division, particularly online.
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Legendary band Exists reflects on how journalists and editors once protected artists through fact-checking and editorial diligence, contrasting the thoughtful media landscape of the print era with today's rapid social media environment.
A Cincinnati-based federal appeals court has reinstated Ohio's Social Media Parental Notification Act, requiring companies to obtain parental permission before children access social media platforms. The ruling marks a significant defeat for the tech industry.
A Thai court has handed down an 18-month prison sentence to a man for royal defamation, stemming from a comment he posted in a Facebook group dedicated to monarchy discussions, according to rights organisations monitoring the case.
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Kelantan's regent Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra held talks with Foreign Minister Fahmi Fadzil in Kota Bharu, focusing on combating fake social media accounts and addressing pressing state matters.
A silat instructor has pleaded not guilty to sedition charges in Malaysia's High Court over a Facebook post allegedly critical of the Agong, made in December last year.
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris has distanced itself from a viral poster about registering new Muslims, stating it was never approved by the institution and circulated without official channels.
Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra received Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil at Kota Lama Palace to discuss the ministry's work, focusing on the escalating problem of fake social media accounts spreading false information about Malaysia's royal institutions.
Florida's attorney general has sued TikTok, alleging the platform violates state law by permitting children under 14 to create accounts and exposing them to harmful content. The state is seeking compliance changes and damages.
A 31-year-old Chinese woman has reconnected with her birth family more than two decades after running away as a nine-year-old child following an accident with a bottle of shower gel.
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Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor has made a police report concerning viral social media allegations about a RM55 million American property purchase. Investigators believe the account disseminating the claims is counterfeit.
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Former Damansara MP Tony Pua says he expects to be charged in connection with a Rukun Negara-related Facebook post. The politician expressed readiness to defend his position in court.
PKR Youth leader Kamil Munim has called on young voters to develop stronger political understanding and judge parties on their actual performance, steering clear of social media influence when voting.
Singer Iman Troye, 24, has called on social media users to reconsider their judgement of content creators who document and broadcast distressing or emergency situations, emphasizing the potential value such material holds.
A California court has rejected attempts by Meta and Google to overturn a jury verdict holding them liable for designing addictive social media platforms. The judge upheld a $6 million damages award in the case.
Police in Putrajaya have submitted a circulating social media video alleging a Myanmar national possesses a MyKad to the National Registration Department for verification purposes.
Singapore has blocked 14 social media posts suspected of promoting xenophobia and inciting discord against the Indian community. The Singapore Police Force issued Disabling Directions under the Online Criminal Harms Act 2023.
Meta is rolling out fresh safeguards for teenage users, including limits on repeated posts about fitness, nutrition and anxiety. The company expanded its content rating system across multiple platforms as part of its 2024 Teen Accounts initiative.
Hilde Lynn Helphenstein, a 40-year-old American influencer known for art commentary, was found dead in a Brazilian hotel room after undergoing cosmetic surgery. Authorities are investigating the suspicious death.
Four major social media companies have agreed to pay US$27 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a Kentucky school district claiming their platforms harmed students' mental health and sleep patterns.
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The Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association has endorsed the government's newly enforced age verification requirement for social media users under 16, citing protection against cyber threats and inappropriate content exposure.
An anonymous social media account has triggered political discussion by sharing an unconfirmed Barisan Nasional candidate lineup ahead of the Johor state election, drawing widespread online attention.
A UK government consultation on restricting social media for children under 16 has received more than 80,000 responses, with an overwhelming majority of parents supporting curbs on online platforms.
Malaysia is considering implementing an age 16 minimum for social media access to address rising incidents of online sexual exploitation and cybertrauma affecting young people.
Malaysia has started enforcing age verification requirements for social media accounts, prohibiting those under 16 from registering and requiring identity verification through official documents like MyKad and MyDigital ID.
Malaysia's government has begun enforcing age-verification requirements for social media accounts effective immediately, with Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil warning platforms they must respect local laws or face consequences.
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Malaysia has introduced a requirement for all advertisers to verify their identity when placing sponsored advertisements on social media platforms, the deputy communications minister announced in Melaka.
Social media platforms use algorithms similar to casino mechanics to keep users scrolling, often leaving people emotionally drained rather than rested. Experts suggest intentional use and pause techniques.
Malaysia will require all advertisers on social media platforms to verify their identities starting June 1 under the new Online Safety Act 2025, aimed at combating fraud and preventing misuse of public figures' images in scams.
Authorities have arrested five men, including an 18-year-old, in connection with a fight that went viral on social media near Seri Perantau Apartments in Port Klang.
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The proliferation of unverified social media commentators spreading sensational news has become increasingly problematic, with experts calling for stronger media literacy and greater reliance on credible news sources.
Four major social media companies have agreed to pay approximately $27 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by a Kentucky school district alleging their platforms fueled a student mental-health crisis. Meta paid the largest share at $9 million.
The United Nations has cautioned that restricting children's access to social media platforms is not enough to ensure their safety online, calling instead for tech companies to redesign their services with child protection in mind.
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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has sounded an alarm over Malaysians, particularly youth, treating brief social media excerpts as legitimate knowledge, warning of potential dangers to learning habits and critical thinking.
New Zealand defender Tim Payne's Instagram followers surged from 4,715 to 660,000 in days after Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini dubbed him the World Cup's least known player and encouraged followers to engage with his account.
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The Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association supports age verification for social media users under the Online Safety Act 2025 but emphasises the need for simultaneous digital education and parental guidance to ensure safe online practices.
Britain's leading medical bodies have warned that social media exposure carries health risks comparable to smoking, urging the government to implement stricter protections for young people online.
The US Supreme Court has refused to overturn a lower court ruling allowing Vermont's attorney general to proceed with a lawsuit against Meta, claiming the tech giant deliberately designed Instagram to exploit and addict teenagers.
Taiwanese celebrity YouTuber Qiang Qiang has confessed to going nearly a month without showering, attributing the extended break to her aversion to the daily hygiene task.
South Korean actor Jang Dong-joo deleted his social media account on May 22 following a disturbing post that alarmed fans, weeks after announcing his retirement from acting.
Police are investigating a video shared on Threads showing a bus driver handling an unidentified liquid while driving. Social media users have speculated about the substance's nature.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has taken down 271,472 pieces of content since January, with 91 per cent linked to online scams and gambling operations.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has instructed social media platforms to delete more than 271,000 pieces of content linked to online scams and illegal gambling since the start of the year, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that the MCMC will intensify digital literacy campaigns to educate social media users about responsible content sharing, particularly regarding sensitive matters and ongoing investigations.
Chinese beauty influencer Jiang Chenglan has made a dramatic comeback to social media after a three-year hiatus, amassing 10 million followers within 24 hours of launching a new account. Her return follows a dispute with her former agency over her previous online handle.
A satirical parody party symbolized by a cockroach has captivated millions of young Indians protesting government failures. The movement exploded after a Supreme Court judge's dismissive remarks, channeling youth anger over unemployment and political dysfunction.
Malaysia's communications regulator will require social media users to submit government-issued identification for age verification starting June 1. The measure aims to prevent children under 16 from accessing major platforms including TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.
Meta, Google, Snap and TikTok have settled a landmark case brought by a Kentucky school district alleging social media harms student mental health. The move avoids a trial expected to influence hundreds of similar cases nationwide.
Authorities in Johor have arrested a 28-year-old man following an online post that alleged sexual abuse of a primary schoolchild. The post circulated widely across social media platforms before police intervened.
Britain's communications regulator Ofcom has criticized TikTok and YouTube for inadequate action on child safety, with nearly three-quarters of young users still encountering harmful content online.
Meta Platforms has resolved a lawsuit brought by Breathitt County School District in Kentucky, marking the first settlement in a sprawling case involving roughly 1,200 school districts seeking compensation for mental health-related costs.
Royal Malaysia Police have initiated an investigation into a fraudulent TikTok account accused of making derogatory remarks about the King. Authorities are reminding citizens to uphold respect for the monarchy, faith, and racial harmony.
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The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has served a statutory demand on TikTok for failing to promptly remove offensive, false and threatening content targeting the royal institution, including AI-generated videos and manipulated images.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has issued two executive decrees to strengthen oversight of social media and digital platforms, requiring companies to take action against hate speech, misinformation, criminal content and gender-based violence.
Police have initiated an investigation into former Damansara Member of Parliament Tony Pua following allegations that he made sensitive remarks on social media relating to the monarchy and Malaysia's national principles.
Suhaila Abd Halim, a mother of six, will stand trial after being charged with posting offensive remarks about the Agong on social media. The case centres on allegations of misusing network facilities.
A woman has been handed a RM4,000 fine by Sepang Sessions Court for disseminating false information regarding fuel prices through social media, according to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
A Pakistani court has sentenced a 22-year-old man to death for the murder of teenage social media influencer Sana Yousaf, whose killing sparked nationwide outcry and renewed focus on women's safety.