Police say sex offenders tend to use aliases or fake identities when approaching victims on social media and dating apps. (Envato Elements pic)
PETALING JAYA: A consumers’ association has described as worrying the 633 sexual crimes recorded in 2024 involving perpetrators who preyed on victims they met online, including through dating apps.
The Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) is now calling for the government to take immediate action, including by blocking the availability of these dating apps on the Apple Store and Google Play.
MCCA president Siraj Jalil said these apps have few restrictions and can be downloaded easily, making children and teenagers easy targets for sex offenders.
“In the past, Sugarbook was banned,” Siraj said, referring to Asia’s largest sugar daddy dating platform.
In 2021, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) blocked access to Sugarbook following concerns about the lifestyle it was promoting and potential elements of prostitution.
“Maybe the same can be done (for these dating apps) now that the Class Licence for Application Service Provider (CASP), aimed at plugging loopholes, is in effect.
“The government needs to look into these dating apps to curb harassment and sexual offences,” he said.
The CASP for social media, aimed at making digital platforms safe for use, took effect on Jan 1.
Implemented under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), the licensing initiative aims to enhance online safety, safeguard users, and improve regulatory oversight of social media and internet messaging platforms.
Earlier this month, police said it recorded 633 cases last year where sexual offenders met their victims through social media platforms and on dating apps.
The platforms included Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok, WeChat, WhatsApp, Bumble and Tinder.
Bukit Aman’s sexual, women and child investigation division’s (D11) principal assistant director, Siti Kamsiah Hassan, said sex offenders would approach victims using aliases or fake identities, Sinar Harian reported.
She said these sex offenders would mostly target victims between 13 and 16 years who have high visibility on social media.
Separately, Alif Jasni of Universiti Utara Malaysia said there is a need to increase public awareness of the dangers of online exploitation.
Alif, who is with the university’s applied psychology, policy and social work centre, said reports of cases involving sexual offences should include details of the methods adopted by cyber criminals and how the victims were impacted.
“The authorities and policymakers must also tighten the laws and introduce new and more effective safety measures,” he said.
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