Tougher cybercrime laws needed to protect the elderly
LETTERS: Regular reports of elderly people falling victim to cyber crimes and losing their life savings call for urgent reforms to strengthen criminal laws and increase penalties for offenders.
The timely reminder by federal police Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain to look into outdated laws must therefore be supported by all lawmakers and the public.
He mentioned, in particular, the Common Gaming Houses Act, the Prevention of Crime Act and the Security Offences Act.
We also need to enhance the Computer Crimes Act 1997 to address new forms of cybercrime such as ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and identity theft.
We should align our laws with international frameworks, such as the Council of Europe's Budapest Convention, to facilitate cross-border cooperation in cybercrime investigations.
How robust are our data privacy regulations?
We should establish clear regulations on the collection, storage, and sharing of user data, ensuring that individuals have control over their personal information.
We should develop new laws targeting digital fraud, such as investment scams and fraudulent online transactions, with stricter penalties for offenders.
It is equally important to initiate public education campaigns on digital safety and cybersecurity, aiming to empower citizens to protect themselves against online threats.
These proactive actions are essential for maintaining public safety and ensuring that Malaysia keeps pace with global standards in criminal justice.
We can learn from several countries that have established robust frameworks and strategies.
Among them are the United States, Singapore, Estonia, Japan and Germany.
By studying their examples, we can adopt best practices that suit our needs, and foster a safer digital environment for our citizens and businesses.
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New Straits Times
16 hours ago
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Tougher cybercrime laws needed to protect the elderly
LETTERS: Regular reports of elderly people falling victim to cyber crimes and losing their life savings call for urgent reforms to strengthen criminal laws and increase penalties for offenders. The timely reminder by federal police Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain to look into outdated laws must therefore be supported by all lawmakers and the public. He mentioned, in particular, the Common Gaming Houses Act, the Prevention of Crime Act and the Security Offences Act. We also need to enhance the Computer Crimes Act 1997 to address new forms of cybercrime such as ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and identity theft. We should align our laws with international frameworks, such as the Council of Europe's Budapest Convention, to facilitate cross-border cooperation in cybercrime investigations. How robust are our data privacy regulations? We should establish clear regulations on the collection, storage, and sharing of user data, ensuring that individuals have control over their personal information. We should develop new laws targeting digital fraud, such as investment scams and fraudulent online transactions, with stricter penalties for offenders. It is equally important to initiate public education campaigns on digital safety and cybersecurity, aiming to empower citizens to protect themselves against online threats. These proactive actions are essential for maintaining public safety and ensuring that Malaysia keeps pace with global standards in criminal justice. We can learn from several countries that have established robust frameworks and strategies. Among them are the United States, Singapore, Estonia, Japan and Germany. By studying their examples, we can adopt best practices that suit our needs, and foster a safer digital environment for our citizens and businesses.
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