<p>Facebook's parent company Meta has been threatened by the Malaysian government with legal action for failing to remove undesirable and harmful content from its social media platform.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in a statement said Facebook had been "plagued by"a significant volume of undesirable content relating to race, religion, royalty, impersonation, online gambling and scam advertisements in recent months. The commission said it had reached out to Meta on multiple occasions to remove harmful content but it was to no avail.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Meta’s response, which has been sluggish and unsatisfactory, has not met the urgency of the matter and has led to increasing public concern and scrutiny,” read the statement.</p>

<p>“As there is no sufficient cooperation from Meta, MCMC has no option but to take definitive steps or legal action against Meta as a measure to ensure that people are secure and protected in the physical sphere.”</p>

<p>Since last year's national election, there has been a rise in ethnic tensions across the country. Prime Minister&nbsp;Anwar Ibrahim has vowed to curb the situation by setting the social media platforms straight.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-third-of-domestic-workers-in-malaysia-working-in-forced-labour-conditions-604977"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;A third of domestic workers in Malaysia working in forced labour conditions</strong></a></p>

<p>Moreover, the statement by MCMC comes weeks ahead of the regional elections&nbsp;scheduled in six states where Anwar's multi-ethnic coalition is expected to go toe-to-toe against a conservative Malay Muslim alliance. Though the state elections have no bearing on the federal government's position and stability, all eyeballs are on Anwar if his unity government can stitch together another victory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The crackdown could have negative financial implications for Facebook&nbsp;as the platform is used by 60 per cent of Malaysia's 33 million-strong population.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Telegram received a similar threat</strong></h2>

<p>Notably, Facebook is not the only social media platform targeted by the Malaysian government. Earlier this month, Telegram received a similar threat after it refused to cooperate over complaints regarding content and misuse of the app.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/malaysia-elections-palace-names-pakatan-harapan-leader-as-prime-minister-537082"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Malaysia elections: Palace names Pakatan Harapan leader as Prime Minister</strong></a></p>

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<p>The sale of pornographic materials, drugs and investment scams prompted the Malaysian authorities to take a stringent stance. According to reports, since January 2020, the Telegram scams have cost Malaysians as many as $9.6 million in losses.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>After taking a cavalier stance initially, Telegram later agreed to work with local authorities to curb illegal activities. Since then, the government has eased down on the crackdown.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Facebook's parent company Meta has been threatened by the Malaysian government with legal action for failing to remove undesirable and harmful content from its social media platform.

Facebook's parent company Meta has been threatened by the Malaysian government with legal action for failing to remove undesirable and harmful content from its social media platform. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in a statement said Facebook had been "plagued by"a significant volume of undesirable content relating to race, religion, royalty, impersonation, online gambling and scam advertisements in recent months. The commission said it had reached out to Meta on multiple occasions to remove harmful content but it was to no avail. “Meta’s response, which has been sluggish and unsatisfactory, has not met the urgency of the matter and has led to increasing public concern and scrutiny,” read the statement. “As there is no sufficient cooperation from Meta, MCMC has no option but to take definitive steps or legal action against Meta as a measure to ensure that people are secure and protected in the physical sphere.” Since last year's national election, there has been a rise in ethnic tensions across the country. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has vowed to curb the situation by setting the social media platforms straight. Also read | A third of domestic workers in Malaysia working in forced labour conditions Moreover, the statement by MCMC comes weeks ahead of the regional elections scheduled in six states where Anwar's multi-ethnic coalition is expected to go toe-to-toe against a conservative Malay Muslim alliance. Though the state elections have no bearing on the federal government's position and stability, all eyeballs are on Anwar if his unity government can stitch together another victory. The crackdown could have negative financial implications for Facebook as the platform is used by 60 per cent of Malaysia's 33 million-strong population. Telegram received a similar threat Notably, Facebook is not the only social media platform targeted by the Malaysian government. Earlier this month, Telegram received a similar threat after it refused to cooperate over complaints regarding content and misuse of the app. WATCH | Malaysia elections: Palace names Pakatan Harapan leader as Prime Minister × The sale of pornographic materials, drugs and investment scams prompted the Malaysian authorities to take a stringent stance. According to reports, since January 2020, the Telegram scams have cost Malaysians as many as $9.6 million in losses. After taking a cavalier stance initially, Telegram later agreed to work with local authorities to curb illegal activities. Since then, the government has eased down on the crackdown. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'No option but to take action...': Malaysia threatens Meta over harmful content on Facebook

<p>A number of TikTok accounts, some even having followers under the age of 16, have put up a catalogue of machetes, zombie-style knives and samurai swords and are offering to sell and deliver them to the UK, as per reports. At least two of these accounts which are putting pictures of these large knives with broad blades claim to be based out of England, as per UK media portal The Times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A Portsmouth-based account claims to be selling machetes for as little as £30. It has amassed more than 10,000 likes and 2,000 followers. Its TikTok videos have QR codes. When scanned it&nbsp;leads&nbsp;directly to an encrypted Telegram channel with hundreds of testimonials from&nbsp;purported British buyers. More than 200 photographs of knives, fist-load weapons, and guns&nbsp;are also included in the collection, along with pictures of mail receipts.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-korea-natural-partners-held-substantive-talks-with-eam-south-korean-foreign-minister-park-jin-to-wion-580323">India, Korea natural partners, held substantive talks with Jaishankar: South Korean FM Park Jin to WION</a></p>

<h2><strong>Harmful TikTok content&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The machetes as seen in the reports are of a variety of shapes and sizes. The presence of teens under the age of 16 on these TikTok accounts is itself a cause of concern as machetes handled by them can be dangerous and lead to any untoward consequence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There is a lot of entertaining content available on Tiktok but this type of content when teens can look at all the testimonies by British 'zombie knives' buyers is inappropriate. Not only selling these knives can be dangerous but can also pose a risk to the individuals buying them.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-university-of-oklahoma-investigates-reports-of-active-shooter-possible-shots-fired-on-campus-580308">Police issue 'ALL CLEAR' after reports of active shooter at University of Oklahoma, calls off alert</a></p>

<h2><strong>Earlier research into TikTok content&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>This is not the first time when Tiktok has come under fire for the type of content available on the platform. According to a research released in December last year by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), some users of TikTok receive recommendations for self-harm and eating disorder material right after joining the platform.</p>

<p>For the study, researchers created TikTok profiles posing as 13-year-old users who were interested in body image and mental health-related material. It was discovered that TikTok's algorithm started recommending suicide material as soon as the user had been using the app for only 2.6 minutes. According to the findings, eating disorder content was suggested in as little as 8 minutes.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Pakistan: National Security Committee to launch new military operation against militants</strong></p>

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<p>James P. Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, said, "The new report by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate underscores why it is way past time for TikTok to take steps to address the platform's dangerous algorithmic amplification."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"TikTok's algorithm is bombarding teens with harmful content that promote suicide, eating disorders, and body image issues that is fuelling the teens' mental health crisis."</p>

<h2><strong>TikTok algorithm&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The world's fastest growing social media app, TikTok, was worldwide released by the Chinese business ByteDance in 2017. The algorithms are influenced by personal data such as likes and watch time of a user.</p>

<h2><strong>US pressing TikTok over data concerns&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>TikTok has been under the radar of United States over&nbsp;concerns that China would request US users' data from the app. The White House had been attempting to negotiate an arrangement with TikTok for&nbsp;implementing&nbsp;new data protection measures amid US' demands pressuring ByteDance to sell the app.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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A number of TikTok accounts, some even having followers under the age of 16, have put up a catalogue of machetes, zombie-style knives and samurai swords and are offering to sell and deliver them to the UK, as per reports.

A number of TikTok accounts, some even having followers under the age of 16, have put up a catalogue of machetes, zombie-style knives and samurai swords and are offering to sell and deliver them to the UK, as per reports. At least two of these accounts which are putting pictures of these large knives with broad blades claim to be based out of England, as per UK media portal The Times. A Portsmouth-based account claims to be selling machetes for as little as £30. It has amassed more than 10,000 likes and 2,000 followers. Its TikTok videos have QR codes. When scanned it leads directly to an encrypted Telegram channel with hundreds of testimonials from purported British buyers. More than 200 photographs of knives, fist-load weapons, and guns are also included in the collection, along with pictures of mail receipts. Also Read | India, Korea natural partners, held substantive talks with Jaishankar: South Korean FM Park Jin to WION Harmful TikTok content The machetes as seen in the reports are of a variety of shapes and sizes. The presence of teens under the age of 16 on these TikTok accounts is itself a cause of concern as machetes handled by them can be dangerous and lead to any untoward consequence. There is a lot of entertaining content available on Tiktok but this type of content when teens can look at all the testimonies by British 'zombie knives' buyers is inappropriate. Not only selling these knives can be dangerous but can also pose a risk to the individuals buying them. Also Read | Police issue 'ALL CLEAR' after reports of active shooter at University of Oklahoma, calls off alert Earlier research into TikTok content This is not the first time when Tiktok has come under fire for the type of content available on the platform. According to a research released in December last year by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), some users of TikTok receive recommendations for self-harm and eating disorder material right after joining the platform. For the study, researchers created TikTok profiles posing as 13-year-old users who were interested in body image and mental health-related material. It was discovered that TikTok's algorithm started recommending suicide material as soon as the user had been using the app for only 2.6 minutes. According to the findings, eating disorder content was suggested in as little as 8 minutes. Watch | Pakistan: National Security Committee to launch new military operation against militants × James P. Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, said, "The new report by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate underscores why it is way past time for TikTok to take steps to address the platform's dangerous algorithmic amplification." "TikTok's algorithm is bombarding teens with harmful content that promote suicide, eating disorders, and body image issues that is fuelling the teens' mental health crisis." TikTok algorithm The world's fastest growing social media app, TikTok, was worldwide released by the Chinese business ByteDance in 2017. The algorithms are influenced by personal data such as likes and watch time of a user. US pressing TikTok over data concerns TikTok has been under the radar of United States over concerns that China would request US users' data from the app. The White House had been attempting to negotiate an arrangement with TikTok for implementing new data protection measures amid US' demands pressuring ByteDance to sell the app. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

TikTok accounts, with followers under the age 16, selling ‘zombie knives’

<p>In a move that experts have labelled as evasive, on Monday big-tech companies in New Zealand agreed to forego government regulation in favour of themselves reducing dangerous online content. According to Netsafe, a government-funded internet safety organisation, Twitter, Amazon.com Inc., TikTok, Meta Platforms Inc., and Alphabet-owned Google have all signed a code of conduct called Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms. The organisation's chief Brent Carey said that the signatory companies will follow the code as self-regulation. However, industry lobby group NZTech will be overseeing the compliance.&nbsp;"There are too many Kiwis being bullied, harassed, and abused online, which is why the industry has rallied together to protect users," said Carey.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Have a phobia? A new app can help fight it</strong></p>

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<p>As per a Reuters report, the big-tech companies' adherence to obligations, such as decreasing harmful information online, disclosing how they do so, and allowing independent evaluation of results, would be under the supervision of industry lobbying group NZTech.</p>

<p>NZTech CEO Graeme Muller has expressed hope that "the governance framework will enable it to evolve alongside local conditions, while at the same time respecting the fundamental rights of freedom of expression."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-cracks-down-on-cyberbullying-the-crime-can-now-get-you-a-year-in-jail-496033">Japan cracks down on cyberbullying, makes it a punishable offence, but experts aren't too happy. Here's why</a></strong></p>

<p>However, interest groups demand more information, such as a system for public complaints and punishment for any noncompliance by the corporations.</p>

<p>They further emphasise that an industry organisation, not the government, is in charge of managing the accord.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/roe-v-wade-google-location-history-of-women-remains-vulnerable-youtube-to-censor-false-videos-on-abortion-499712">Roe v. Wade: Google location history of women remains vulnerable; YouTube to censor false videos on abortion</a></strong></p>

<p title="title">Mandy Henk, CEO of Tohatoha NZ, a non-profit organisation that advocates the social impact of technology, called the move "a weak attempt to preempt regulation – in New Zealand and overseas – by promoting an industry-led model."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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In a move that experts have labelled as evasive, on Monday big-tech companies in New Zealand agreed to forego government regulation in favour of themselves reducing dangerous online content.

In a move that experts have labelled as evasive, on Monday big-tech companies in New Zealand agreed to forego government regulation in favour of themselves reducing dangerous online content. According to Netsafe, a government-funded internet safety organisation, Twitter, Amazon.com Inc., TikTok, Meta Platforms Inc., and Alphabet-owned Google have all signed a code of conduct called Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms. The organisation's chief Brent Carey said that the signatory companies will follow the code as self-regulation. However, industry lobby group NZTech will be overseeing the compliance. "There are too many Kiwis being bullied, harassed, and abused online, which is why the industry has rallied together to protect users," said Carey. Watch | Have a phobia? A new app can help fight it As per a Reuters report, the big-tech companies' adherence to obligations, such as decreasing harmful information online, disclosing how they do so, and allowing independent evaluation of results, would be under the supervision of industry lobbying group NZTech. NZTech CEO Graeme Muller has expressed hope that "the governance framework will enable it to evolve alongside local conditions, while at the same time respecting the fundamental rights of freedom of expression." Also read | Japan cracks down on cyberbullying, makes it a punishable offence, but experts aren't too happy. Here's why However, interest groups demand more information, such as a system for public complaints and punishment for any noncompliance by the corporations. They further emphasise that an industry organisation, not the government, is in charge of managing the accord. Also read | Roe v. Wade: Google location history of women remains vulnerable; YouTube to censor false videos on abortion Mandy Henk, CEO of Tohatoha NZ, a non-profit organisation that advocates the social impact of technology, called the move "a weak attempt to preempt regulation – in New Zealand and overseas – by promoting an industry-led model." (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Big-tech companies agree to self-regulate harmful content in New Zealand, experts call it a 'weak attempt'