Malaysia blocks Grindr and Blued and may limit more LGBTQ+ dating apps
Malaysia’s communications minister Fahmi Fadzil (Mohd RASFAN / AFP | Grindr | Blued)
Malaysia has blocked Grindr and Blued in the country and is looking into measures to curb other LGBTQ+ dating apps from its app stores.
Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil shared the news on 25 February.
He said: “Control over applications on platforms such as Google Play and Apple Store is subject to regulations and policies set by the said platform providers, since both applications are owned by foreign companies operating outside of Malaysia.”
Fadzil also confirmed that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had not received any requests to remove the mobile app version.
The MCMC is currently looking into legal measures that would limit the use of apps that violate local laws – or “those that spread lewd or immoral content, exploitation, abuse, scams, exploiting children or threats towards public safety” – and take action against them. LGBTQ+ dating apps are included in that description.
Same-sex activity in Malaysia is illegal according to both federal and state sharia law.
Anal sex between two men or even a man and a woman can result in a sentence of 20 years imprisonment with caning, fines and deportation.
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