ISIS-AOD Workshop on Platform Design and Algorithmic Governance

Kuala Lumpur, 10 September 2025 – INITIATE.MY participated in the Platform Design and Governance Workshop organised by Architects of Diversity, in collaboration with the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia and supported by Luminate. The two-day workshop convened policymakers, researchers, legal professionals, and civil society representatives to strengthen collective understanding of platform governance, algorithmic accountability, and online safety in Malaysia.

The discussions focused on Malaysia’s evolving digital governance landscape and its complex intersections between technology, regulation, and civic trust. Participants explored a wide range of online harms—including scams, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), cyberbullying, hate speech, and disinformation—emphasising how algorithmic amplification and profit-driven platform design continue to challenge user safety, public trust, and social cohesion.

Deliberations reflected on the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability through regulatory frameworks such as the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) and the Online Safety Act (OSA). However, participants observed that enforcement remains fragmented, with regulatory overlaps and uncertainties surrounding platform licensing processes. The conversation further examined the tension between state regulation and platform self-governance, noting that uncoordinated or disproportionate interventions may risk both overreach and ineffective protection.

There was also broad reflection on existing legal provisions governing digital expression, including those that may be overly broad or open to misuse. Participants collectively emphasised the need for future-proof, rights-respecting legislation that balances accountability with freedom of expression, ensuring that safety measures do not undermine civil liberties. Transparency in content takedown processes, platform compliance, and the establishment of independent oversight mechanisms were highlighted as critical to maintaining public confidence and democratic integrity.

Through its participation, INITIATE.MY reaffirmed its commitment to advancing digital governance that centres human security, tech accountability, and democratic resilience.

Participants at the two-day Platform Design and Governance Workshop engaging in a closed-door session on Malaysia’s digital governance landscape and online harms to advance rights-based, accountable approaches to platform regulation.