Malaysia removes 713 AI-generated political deepfakes from online platforms

Between the start of 2025 and mid-September 2026, a total of 713 image-manipulation and deepfake items featuring political party leaders were removed from the internet after the Communications Ministry received complaints and identified breaches of community guidelines. The ministry explained that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) acted under the Communications and Multimedia Act and the Online Safety Act to address content deemed obscene, false, threatening or otherwise harmful.

Requests for removal were based on legal criteria, not on the political affiliation or rank of the individuals involved. When the material warranted legal action, the cases were referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers, and prosecution could only proceed with written consent from the public prosecutor. Affected parties may appeal MCMC decisions to the Appeal Tribunal and, if necessary, seek judicial review in the High Court. The ministry stressed that its enforcement mechanisms operate independently and are subject to oversight.