CYBERJAYA, MALAYSIA Nov 7, 2025 – Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has launched an investigation into TikTok following alarming media reports that the social media giant is being exploited to recruit unwitting individuals as drug mules for international smuggling operations.
In a strongly worded press statement issued yesterday, MCMC expressed grave concern over the misuse of the platform to lure vulnerable users with fake job offers, potentially tricking them into transporting narcotics across borders. The regulator has formally requested a detailed official response from TikTok, focusing on the company’s internal monitoring and enforcement protocols for suspicious content and advertisements.
“This is a serious matter that demands immediate accountability,” the statement emphasized, highlighting how such deceptive tactics undermine user safety and national security. MCMC warned that any platform facilitating the spread of fraudulent content for criminal recruitment constitutes a grave offense under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), which prohibits the improper use of network services or applications.
Furthermore, under Section 263(1) of the same act, license holders like TikTok are legally obligated to implement robust measures ensuring their services are not abused for illegal activities in Malaysia.
The advisory comes amid rising concerns over cross-border drug trafficking syndicates increasingly turning to social media for recruitment. Public awareness efforts are being ramped up, with MCMC urging Malaysians to exercise extreme caution with seemingly lucrative job postings on platforms like TikTok—especially those involving the shipment of parcels, luggage, or goods overseas.
“Opportunities that sound too good to be true often are,” the statement cautioned. “These traps are frequently deployed by syndicates to coerce innocent people into becoming ‘drug mules,’ facing severe legal consequences upon detection.”
To bolster defenses, MCMC pledged continued collaboration with key enforcement bodies, including the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department. Joint initiatives will enhance surveillance of online threats and educate the public on the dangers of social media exploitation in transnational crimes.
This development underscores a broader global crackdown on tech platforms’ roles in facilitating illicit activities. TikTok, owned by Chinese tech firm ByteDance, has faced similar scrutiny worldwide for content moderation lapses, though the company has not yet publicly responded to MCMC’s query as of this reporting.
Authorities reiterated that vigilance remains the first line of defense: Verify job offers through official channels, avoid sharing personal details with unverified sources, and report suspicious activity immediately to MCMC or local police.
