Malaysia : WhatsApp Group Admins Beware!! Legal Action Will Be Taken When Fake Contents Are Being Shared!!

WhatApp is widely used among Malaysians, we use it for personal, family and even for work! No doubt, group chats are everywhere, but there is one rumor recently circulating the internet where administrators of WhatsApp group chats can or will be prosecuted for their group members spreading offensive or fake content.

Which means, our each and every chat within the group (or private chat may also be included) will be tracked!!

25-year-old Joe, administrator of several group chats on WhatsApp said that he would think twice before becoming an administrator of any more group chats. “I don’t want to be responsible for what other people say. A lot of people don’t realise that some of the things they share are fake news and against the law,” he said.

“I do tell family members and friends to verify the news they are sharing, but I don’t have the heart to kick them out for sharing fake news,” said Joe, adding that most people do not have any malicious intent when sharing fake news.

Saleha, another administrator, 33, said she is feeling anxious as her WhatsApp groups often share fake news! The majority of people who spread unverified news are often from the older generation.

Meanwhile, a disclaimer notice by WhatsApp group administrators has been circulating on several group chats.

The notice reads: Saya dan lain-lain admin group ini tidak membenarkan dan menyokong sebarang bentuk whatapps yang memaparkan informasi pornografi, tidak benar, fitnah, hasutan, penipuan dan paparan yang tidak sesuai selaras dan seperti yang ditetapkan dengan/oleh Akta Kommunikasi dan Multimedia 1998. Segala Whatapps dipaparkan oleh individu atau saya sendiri di dalam group ini bukan  tanggungjawab saya, ia adalah tanggungjawab setiap individu dalam group ini.

(I and other group admins do not allow or support any form of WhatsApp messages that display information that is pornographic, incorrect, libelous, seditious, false or inappropriate and as determined in accordance with/ by the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998. All WhatApp messages displayed by individuals or myself in this group are not my responsibility, it is the responsibility of every individual in this group.)

Pity him made out to be a fool and a fall guy

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said that group chat admins can be held accountable under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Offences that fall under the Act include the spread of fake news, libel, fraud, and exposure of classified information under the Official Secrets Act.

And below letter from the Home ministry denying the above . In Malaysia the Government is always backtracking after out cry from the Public as it happens once too many times. When there is an official government statement need another to confirm the first or deny the first.