Fahmi: Facebook generated up to USD20b in ASEAN ad revenue last year
SOCIAL media platform Facebook is estimated to have generated between USD15 billion and USD20 billion (USD1=RM4.25) in online advertising revenue in the ASEAN region last year, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
He said the figure included advertisements suspected of promoting scams and online gambling to about 670 million users of the platform in the region.
In Malaysia alone, Fahmi said Facebook generated an estimated RM2.5 billion in revenue last year.
'This is the problem we face — many of the ads they (Facebook) display are scam ads promoting fake investments or so-called 'magical' products that can be bought at very low prices. There's no control over this.
'In fact, just a few weeks ago, my team identified drug and vape (electronic cigarette) sales activities within Facebook groups,' he said during the Communications Ministry's monthly assembly yesterday.
Fahmi said that to date, Facebook had yet to cooperate with the government's social media platform licensing initiative enforced earlier this year.
'They (Facebook) still refuse to be licensed under the licensing system we announced. They are unwilling to cooperate in several areas,' he said.
On Jan 1, the government officially enforced licensing under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), aimed at enhancing online safety, protecting users, and strengthening regulatory oversight of internet messaging service providers and social media platforms.
The government's efforts did not stop there, as Parliament passed the Online Safety Act (OnSA) 2024 last December, which will be enforced soon.
'With the enforcement of OnSA, social media platforms like Facebook will be required to comply.
'Issues such as paedophile groups and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) must be eliminated from these platforms, and those involved must be brought to justice,' he said. — BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Foreign Minister Mohamad Meets Counterparts From Syria, Azerbaijan, Yemen
KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 (Bernama) – Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Syria, Azerbaijan and Yemen on the sidelines of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Istanbul, Türkiye on Sunday. Mohamad met with Syria's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani. During the meeting, Al-Shaibani briefed Mohamad on the current situation in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime, as well as the Syrian government's aspirations to rebuild the country. bootstrap slideshow 'This meeting is important for strengthening Malaysia–Syria bilateral relations,' Mohamad said in a post on his official Facebook page. Mohamad also held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov. 'Alhamdulillah, this meeting served as an important platform to strengthen Malaysia–Azerbaijan relations and to discuss regional and international developments of mutual interest,' he said. He also had a bilateral discussion with Yemen's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr Shaya Mohsin Zindani. 'This meeting opened the door to enhancing Malaysia–Republic of Yemen bilateral ties and to discuss regional issues of shared concern,' he said. Meanwhile, Mohamad held a brief meeting with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal Farhan Al-Saud, where they exchanged views on Malaysia–Saudi Arabia bilateral matters and regional issues of mutual concern.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
PM aids ailing single mother living in poor conditions
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has presented a contribution to Melah Idris, a single mother living in poverty and suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. The contribution was handed over by the Prime Minister's political secretary, Datuk Ahmad Farhan Fauzi, when he visited the 63-year-old mother of eight at her home in Kampung Padang, Kuantan. Ahmad Farhan said the senior citizen relied entirely on her children to cover kitchen expenses and utility bills. 'Her house is in a poor condition, with the bedroom floor already rotting and no longer safe to live in. Yet, her face remains calm, as if she keeps all her suffering deep inside so as not to burden anyone. 'On behalf of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, I am presenting a small contribution and will look into the most appropriate form of assistance for her, not only in terms of financial aid but also in ensuring a safer place for her to live,' he said in a Facebook post shared by the Prime Minister today. In the same post, Ahmad Farhan expressed hope that no citizen would be left to suffer in silence without receiving proper assistance.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
PM Anwar extends aid to struggling single mother in Pahang
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has presented a contribution to Melah Idris, a single mother living in poverty and suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. The contribution was handed over by the Prime Minister's political secretary, Datuk Ahmad Farhan Fauzi, when he visited the 63-year-old mother of eight at her home in Kampung Padang, Kuantan. Ahmad Farhan said the senior citizen relied entirely on her children to cover kitchen expenses and utility bills. 'Her house is in a poor condition, with the bedroom floor already rotting and no longer safe to live in. Yet, her face remains calm, as if she keeps all her suffering deep inside so as not to burden anyone. 'On behalf of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, I am presenting a small contribution and will look into the most appropriate form of assistance for her, not only in terms of financial aid but also in ensuring a safer place for her to live,' he said in a Facebook post shared by the Prime Minister today. In the same post, Ahmad Farhan expressed hope that no citizen would be left to suffer in silence without receiving proper assistance.
