Fahmi: Call data to shape policymaking

The Star

6 hours ago

Coming together: Fahmi attending Lembah Pantai Umno's Perpaduan sacrificial ritual ceremony in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha at the Kampung Pasir Baru hall in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) request for mobile phone call data from telecommunications companies is aimed at supporting evidence-based policymaking, including enhancing network infrastructure, says Commu­nications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
He said the requested data does not include identities or any information that could be used to identify individuals.
'The purpose is to collect data for the official statistics of the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
'It does not contain any personal information but focuses on trends to enable us to gather more detailed information about quality, engagement levels, and the number of users in specific mukims (subdistricts) or districts.
'Currently, much of the information about the telecommunications sector remains too general,' he told reporters at Lembah Pantai Umno's Perpaduan sacrificial ritual ceremony here yesterday in conjunction with the Aidiladha celebration.
He said this new, more detailed approach will enable the government to assess the actual needs of the public and bridge the digital divide more effectively.
'We have also begun shifting from providing general information to focusing on Coverage of Populated Areas.
'This ensures that the data collected under DOSM will enable more planning and policies based on evidence-based policymaking, bringing greater benefits to the public,' he said, as reported by Bernama.
Fahmi said the decision was reached through mutual agreement between telecommunications companies and MCMC, involving agencies such as DOSM in a series of workshops held since 2023.
'Discussions have been ongoing for some time, and there are no issues. In fact, I understand that telecommunications companies will not provide any information containing personal data.
'Only anonymised data, processed as thoroughly as possible by the telecommunications companies themselves, will be provided,' he said.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong recently raised concerns over the issue of data collection.
The government's efforts to collate detailed records of phone calls and internet usage from telecommunications firms are a violation of the people's right to their personal data.
He also said there is no need to have such detailed information for facilitating policymaking in the information, communications and technology sector, and the tourism sector as clarified by the MCMC.
He added for such purposed above, collecting aggregate data was sufficient.
Dr Wee said anonymising the data was not enough to maintain the privacy of users, especially in an increasingly connected world.
On top of that, he added, there is also data from the mobile app MySejahtera, e-wallets, CCTVs, Touch 'n Go and bank records which can be cross-checked to identify someone.