PETALING JAYA: Several individuals who used a “troll farm” to create wrong perceptions over issues online have been identified by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), says Fahmi Fadzil.

The Communications Minister said this included contents to tarnish Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s image on social media.

He advised social media users to be responsible when using online platforms to ensure a safer Internet space for all.

“There was a trend where users repeated a particular word multiple times, up to 15,000 times on TikTok, when they were trying to game the system.

“TikTok has confirmed that these individuals were using an illegal application.

“Since then, TikTok has identified the accounts,” Fahmi said, adding that the accounts had since been banned by the social media platform.

He was speaking to reporters after delivering the keynote address at the KL Startup Summit 2024 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He added that the pattern was also known as the “coordinated inauthentic behaviour” (CIB), which refers to a manipulative communication tactic using a mix of fake, authentic and duplicated social media accounts.

Fahmi said TikTok detected the issue when Anwar was answering questions during the Prime Minister’s Questions session in Parliament on Tuesday.

“We want the Internet to be safe and we want cyberbullying issues to be better managed with heftier fines and clearer definitions.

“The social media platforms would also need to help in reducing (unwanted) incidents, including scam advertisements, online gambling and CIB,” he added.

Separately, Fahmi said MCMC will provide guidelines to Maxis Bhd and U Mobile should the two telecommunications companies agree to merge.

He said this when asked about the potential merger, in which Fahmi clarified that the same procedures and processes used for the Celcom-Digi merger would apply to Maxis and U Mobile.

He added that the ministry would not intervene as the proposal from Maxis is a commercial decision.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/18/those-who-used-troll-farm-to-abuse-online-identified