State of Internet Censorship: Malaysia’s website blocks down 72pc, but hold the poppers
A report on internet censorship here has found that there were 149 confirmed blocked websites as of June 2024, compared to 530 in its previous year’s edition.
(MMO) – However, Sinar Project and Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) said in the State of Internet Censorship Country Report that this did not necessarily indicate less restriction now.
Instead, it said it had used different pool in its previous edition that it said made direct comparison difficult.
“We tested against the list of scam websites published by the Securities Commission Malaysia during the previous coverage period, hence the higher number of confirmed websites then,” it said.
Of the websites censored, most were blocked for pornography, gambling, and extremism. Others featured LGBTQ+ elements while some news and political sites were also affected.
Some sites that were blocked included Utusan TV, Asia Sentinel, and Guang Ming Daily. However, the blocks may no longer be in effect.
“The blocking of gay dating app Grindr in Malaysia and in the other 12 countries is an indicator that governments are blocking websites to marginalise specific groups,” said the report.
