The High Court here has issued an injunction to restrain the Telegram messaging app from disseminating harmful content that could erode trust in public institutions and threaten social order.
Justice Mahazan Mat Taib granted the prohibitory order in a lawsuit brought by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) against Telegram Messaging Inc, the owner of the popular messaging app.
The order will remain in force until the disposal of MCMC’s lawsuit.
In her ruling, Mahazan said MCMC had established that Telegram was involved in disseminating offensive content targeting government agencies, enforcement bodies and members of the administration.
However, she dismissed the national internet regulator’s application for an order to block or shut down future Telegram accounts that might disseminate similar harmful content, saying the court could not compel Telegram to practise self-censorship.
The court will hear on Sept 24 another application by MCMC for leave to bring committal proceedings against Telegram.
The application is premised on MCMC’s allegation that the messaging platform failed to comply with one of the terms of an ex-parte injunction issued on July 17.
Lawyers SN Nair and Wong Guo Jin appeared for MCMC while Daniel Bock represented Telegram.
On June 19, MCMC announced that it had sued Telegram and two of its channels – Edisi Siasat and Edisi Khas – for allegedly spreading harmful content that could erode trust in public institutions and threaten social order.
The two anonymous channels had gained notoriety by publishing whistleblower-style exposés, usually targeting public institutions and enforcement agencies.
Though unofficial, their posts frequently gained traction and triggered public debates.
Telegram has its legal domicile in the British Virgin Islands while its operational headquarters are located in Dubai.
