The RM50,000 Oversight: Why Displaying Your SSM Number is Non-Negotiable in 2026

In the fast-paced world of digital entrepreneurship, it is easy to get caught up in conversion rates, SEO rankings, and viral content. However, as Malaysia’s top digital marketing consultant, we always make sure our clients are not just winning the marketing game, but also staying strictly on the right side of the law.

One of the most overlooked regulations in the Malaysian digital landscape is the Electronic Commerce Act 2006 and the Consumer Protection (Electronic Trade Transactions) Regulations. Many business owners are shocked to learn that failing to display their SSM (Companies Commission of Malaysia) registration number on their digital platforms can lead to a staggering fine of up to RM50,000, a prison sentence of up to three years, or both.

Why Is This Happening Now?

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has been ramping up enforcement to protect consumers from online fraud. By requiring your SSM number to be visible, the government ensures transparency. We always advise our clients, especially the ones in the healthcare and education industry that trust is the primary currency of the internet; if a customer can’t verify who you are, they won’t buy from you—and the authorities will take notice.

Where to Place Your SSM Number: A Platform-by-Platform Guide

Staying compliant shouldn’t ruin your aesthetic. As experts in the field, we’ve mastered the art of “Compliance by Design.” Here is where you should place your SSM number across every major digital touchpoint, including the crucial character limits you need to navigate.

1. Your Official Website

Your website is your digital headquarters. As Malaysia’s leading digital marketing consultant, we ensure our clients’ sites are professional and legally sound.

• The Footer: This is the industry standard. Adding your company name and registration number (e.g., Company Name Sdn Bhd 202XXXXXXX) in the footer ensures it appears on every single page.
• Contact Us/About Us Page: Always include your full corporate details here for extra transparency.

2. Facebook

Facebook business pages are a primary target for enforcement officers.

• The “Intro” Section: You have a limit of 101 characters.
• The “About” Section: Ensure the “Additional Contact Information” or “Impressum” section contains your registration number.
• Profile Picture Fine Print: If your bio is crowded, we always advise our clients to subtly include their SSM number in small, legible text at the bottom of their profile picture or cover photo.

3. Instagram

Instagram is notoriously difficult due to strict character limits.

• The Bio: You are limited to 150 characters. Because space is tight, use a format like SSM: 202XXXXXXX.
• Story Highlights: Create a “Legal” or “Cert” highlight where you post a copy of your SSM certificate.
• Profile Picture: If you have zero space in the bio, add a tiny, clean text overlay to your profile logo.

4. LinkedIn

Often forgotten, LinkedIn is a “commercial place” if you are prospecting or selling services.

• Company Page Tagline: You have 120 characters. We suggest placing it at the very end.
• Company “About” Section: You have a generous 2,000 characters here. We always make sure our clients list their full registration details in the first paragraph of this section.

5. TikTok

TikTok’s fast-moving nature doesn’t exempt it from Malaysian law.

• Bio: You only get 80 characters. This is the tightest limit on social media.
• The Strategy: Use a “Link in Bio” tool (like Linktree). Place your SSM number prominently on that landing page to save your 80 characters for your marketing hook.

6. YouTube

Many brands forget that YouTube is a commercial platform.

• The “About” Description: You have 1,000 characters. Place your registration number here.
• Video Descriptions: For high-traffic videos, include your SSM number in the bottom of the description box (5,000 character limit).

7. Shopee & Lazada

E-marketplaces are under the heaviest scrutiny.

• Shopee Shop Description: You have a 500 character limit. Put the SSM number at the very top.
• Lazada Seller Bio: While the product descriptions are long, the shop “Story” or “Bio” is where you must be clear.
• Shop Banner: We always advise our clients to watermark their shop banner with their SSM number to prevent “shop cloning” by scammers while staying compliant.

Summary Table: Character Limits & Placement

The Risk of Non-Compliance: More Than Just a Fine

While the RM50,000 fine is the headline-grabber, the damage to your brand reputation can be even more costly. When we take on new partners, we always make sure our clients understand that a single viral post about a “suspicious” or “unregistered” business can destroy years of brand building in hours.

Under the Consumer Protection (Electronic Trade Transactions) Regulations 2012, you are required to disclose:

1. The name of the business or company.
2. The business registration number.
3. Contact details (Email/Phone).
4. Clear pricing and descriptions of goods.

How We Help You Stay Ahead

At our agency, we don’t just focus on clicks; we focus on sustainable, legal, and profitable growth. As Malaysia’s top digital marketing consultant, our audit process includes a full “Legal Compliance Check.” We look at your digital footprint through the eyes of both a customer and a regulator.

We always advise our clients that it is better to spend five minutes updating a footer today than to spend five months dealing with a legal summons tomorrow. In the competitive Malaysian market, being “the professional choice” means doing the small things right.

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