KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has blocked a total of 10,423 websites from Jan 1, 2022, to Aug 1 this year as an effort to protect vulnerable groups from online harm.

MCMC in a statement said that 95.7 per cent of these blocked websites fell into five main categories comprising online gambling, online pornography, copyright infringement, scams or illegal investments, and online prostitution.

"Specifically, 4,484 websites were blocked for online gambling, 3,271 for pornography, 1,654 for copyright violations, 316 for scams or illegal investments, and 249 for online prostitution.

"In 2021, the MCMC recorded its highest number of website blocks in five years, with 6,571 sites taken down. However, this trend has shown a decline leading up to August 2024," it said.

It added that the blocking measures were executed under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and other relevant laws within the jurisdiction of enforcement agencies, including the police, the Domestic Trade and Costs of Living (KPDN) Ministry, and the Securities Commission.

Blocking these websites also plays a critical role in curbing other crimes such as human trafficking, child grooming, drug sales, and organised crime, MCMC said.

"To ensure the continued effectiveness of these blocks, MCMC is working closely with local service providers to enhance and strengthen preventive and protective measures, particularly in managing the Domain Name System.

"This initiative aligns with the 10 national policy objectives under the CMA 1998, which aim to ensure information security, reliability, and network integrity."

MCMC also said that efforts to protect vulnerable groups from online harm require a holistic whole-of-nation approach.

"We urge society members to respect and not bypass these protective mechanisms, as doing so could have adverse effects on individuals and families, especially teenagers and children," it said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/1088707/mcmc-blocks-over-10000-websites-protect-malaysians-online-harm