KUALA LUMPUR: The government will examine the feasibility of extending electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) and age verification requirements to online gaming platforms such as Roblox.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the move would take into account various aspects, including underage users and the possibility of the platforms being misused by extremist, radical and terrorist groups.
"In my discussions with Roblox, for example, since last year, it has shown that it is ready to cooperate.
"The issue might only be in terms of user verification and age verification.
"So we will look into the suitability of extending eKYC and age verification to platforms like Roblox," he told reporters after the document exchange ceremony for a RM5.2 billion financing facility for Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) here today.
He was commenting on a statement by former Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay on the issue, which also involves underage children.
Fahmi said the government, including through the National Security Council, continuously monitors platforms that could be misused by such groups.
He said the authorities, including the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), would take action if necessary.
"We will consider various aspects, but if prompt action needs to be taken, that will certainly be carried out by the authorities," he said.
In another development, Fahmi said he would discuss age restrictions for social media users with his Indonesian counterpart during a visit to the country.
He is scheduled to leave for Bali before heading to Jakarta tomorrow to attend the World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) 2026 and hold a series of meetings, including with ministers responsible for communications and digital affairs, as well as culture.
"Indonesia has its own approaches and regulatory framework, and there are differences and similarities with Malaysia.
"We will discuss the challenges faced in engaging with social media platform service providers," he said.
Fahmi added that a meeting with Indonesia's Minister of Culture would also discuss Malaysia's aspiration to make local intellectual property (IP) available to Indonesian audiences.
He said Malaysian works streamed on platforms such as Viu were also watched by audiences in the neighbouring country.
He said both sides would explore ways to strengthen ties between Malaysia's and Indonesia's film industries, as well as discuss productions and online content.
"We will also discuss collaborative efforts between production companies, films and creative content," he said.
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