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A phallic-inspired NFT project has been predictably banned by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
MCMC had received a complaint about Dickheads NFTs and has since ordered NFT Pangolin – the Malaysian platform used to host the project – to delist the NFTs.
At the time of writing, the project is still live on NFT Pangolin but a spokesperson from the platform told Tech in Asia the team was “working closely” with MCMC and Dickheads NFT to resolve the issue.
The project has since been listed on OpenSea by NFT Pangolin.
Dickhead NFT’s Twitter account has also been suspended. “@Dickheads_Rulez’s account is temporarily unavailable because it violates the Twitter Media Policy,” their account currently reads. Another Twitter account that appears to be linked to the project @Dickhead_NFTs remains active.
NFTs are not regarded as digital currencies or securities so are not regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia and Securities Commission Malaysia.
Nonetheless MCMC monitors social media to censor inapporpriate content. A Kuala Lumpur-based artist told Tech in Asia that MCMC’s intervention “raises the issue of freedom of expression because in many ways an NFT is art.”
Malaysia has traditionally upheld a conservative approach to content, so MCMC’s sensitivity surrounding Dickhead NFTs is rather expected.
The incident, as childish as it may seem, underpins the need for a decentralized space to house artwork. Even OpenSea – a staple of the NFT industry – is still a centralized service. Looking ahead, Web 3.0 will hopefully address this issue by providing decentralized platforms that are not subjected to government body censorship.
