‘Our data is not a plaything'

The Star

5 hours ago

Briefing about the upcoming 5th World Presidents' Conference by Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. 28 NOVEMBER 2024 一 CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
PETALING JAYA: The government's move to collect detailed phone and Internet usage records from telecommunications companies has crossed the line and is a breach of the people's right to privacy, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).
He argued that such detailed data collection is unnecessary for policymaking in the information, communications and technology (ICT) and tourism sectors, as claimed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
'This is not about whether we trust the current government. The real question is: why does the government need such detailed information about its citizens?' Dr Wee asked in a Facebook post.
'Today, it's for analysing tourism statistics, but who knows what it will be used for tomorrow?
'If the aim is to count tourists or active broadband users, aggregate data is more than sufficient. There's no need for personal data.'
It was previously reported that, according to industry sources, the government had instructed local telcos in April to hand over detailed call and Internet usage logs for the first quarter of the year under a so-called 'Mobile Phone Data' project.
The data requested reportedly included call logs and IP call records, as well as precise location information, including latitude and longitude.
Telcos were also warned that failure to comply would constitute an offence under the Communications and Multimedia Act, punishable by a RM20,000 fine or up to six months in jail.
MCMC has since clarified that the data is intended to support evidence-based policymaking in the ICT and tourism sectors.
The commission also stressed that the data would be anonymised before submission, with no personally identifiable information included.
'In both cases, no individual subscriber can be identified through the data collected,' MCMC said in a statement.
However, Dr Wee remained unconvinced, warning that anonymised data, when combined with other data points, could still be traced back to individuals.
'If you're collecting data on who we call, how long the calls last, our IP addresses, and our exact location at specific times and dates, then it's very easy for someone with access to this data to piece it together and uncover our identities,' he said.
Dr Wee also pointed out that cross-referencing data from mobile apps like MySejahtera, e-wallets, CCTV footage, Touch 'n Go, and banking records would further erode individual privacy.
MCMC also claimed that extensive engagement with telcos over the past two years had taken place to ensure the safe transfer of data, a claim Dr Wee challenged.
'If everything was agreed upon and safely in place, why the need to issue threats to telcos?' he asked.
Ultimately, Dr Wee said, the issue transcends politics and is about protecting the rights of Malaysians.
'Our personal data doesn't belong to any government, not the one today, tomorrow or those to come.
'When a government starts collecting such detailed data, it has already crossed a line.
'The people must speak up. Our data is not a plaything.'