logo
UN-backed: Malaysia joins global move to use mobile data for stats

UN-backed: Malaysia joins global move to use mobile data for stats

CYBERJAYA: Malaysia is not the only country utilising mobile phone data (MPD) for statistical purposes.
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) deputy managing director Datuk Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin said the initiative was part of a global effort supported by United Nations agencies.
"All parameters are discussed at the international level, and standards have already been established.
"Malaysia is not the only country using MPD to improve policy interventions and enhance data collection for statistical purposes," he said in a media briefing here today.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

MCMC: Only eight data types required from telcos in Mobile Phone Data collection initiative
MCMC: Only eight data types required from telcos in Mobile Phone Data collection initiative

The Star

timean hour ago

  • The Star

MCMC: Only eight data types required from telcos in Mobile Phone Data collection initiative

The data will be collected and stored on premise in MCMC for three years. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star CYBERJAYA: Mobile network operators are only required to provide eight types of data in the Mobile Phone Data (MPD) collection initiative, according to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). "No personally identifiable information such as IC number, name or phone number are collected," said MCMC deputy managing director Datuk Zurkarnain Mohd Yasin during a media briefing today (June 9). He explained that the data collected include MSISDN (mobile station international subscriber directory number), which MCMC also termed as "anonymised subscribers' identifier"; unique ID; and the longitude as well as longitude data of telco towers. Also collected are data on the date and time of each transaction; data type (call detail records or Internet protocol detail records); type of network (2G, 4G or 5G) and mobile country code (country identifier to distinguish between local or international subscriptions). The data will be collected and stored on premise in MCMC for three years, he added. Zurkarnain also explained that the MPD is currently in pilot phase and is expected to continue until 2026: "We have started in Cyberjaya and Melaka. Then the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) will decide how it goes after that." He added that anonymised MPD is not classified as a form of personal data under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (PDPA) because "it cannot be used to identify or trace individuals either directly or indirectly"; hence anonymised MPD falls outside the scope of PDPA. "We have no intentions to get information on individual whereabouts. MPD is considered as a new form of gathering statistical data. Previously, we had to rely on surveys or census," he said. On why it's crucial, Zurkarnain said it's part of the digital transformation agenda to rely on big data and analytics for a more targeted approach in policy making. The initiative is focusing on gathering official statistics in two key areas namely ICT and tourism. Last week, users raised concerns over data privacy and security after reports about the MPD collection initiative emerged. Commission member Derek Fernandez said claims about user personal data being collected are false. "The circular sent to the mobile network operators showed that we have requested for the data to be anonymised. We do not want any personal data," he said, adding no third-party contractor has been appointed for the initiaitve. Zurkarnain confirmed that a fine on mobile network operators for non-compliance is needed as part of a requirement to support the initiative: "Everybody has to play a role in national development. We can talk about wanting to implement digital transformation using big data but what if there is no data and the data owner does not want to cooperate, then where do we move from there?" He added that all mobile network operators have agreed to comply. DOSM will process and analyse the data for publication. When asked if users can opt out of the initiative, Zurkarnain said: "It is a Cabinet decision, what we are doing is for national development. This is part of a regulatory requirement that we have asked the operators to comply." Fernandez added that it is stipulated in the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for MCMC to gather relevant data to improve infrastructure: "We do it within the benchmarks of international standards and practices."

Telcos reassure public no personal data shared with MCMC
Telcos reassure public no personal data shared with MCMC

Free Malaysia Today

time2 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Telcos reassure public no personal data shared with MCMC

CelcomDigi, U Mobile, Telekom Malaysia and Maxis stress that only anonymised data — without any personally identifiable information — will be shared with MCMC. (Freepik pic) PETALING JAYA : Telco companies have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting customer data following the sharing of mobile phone data (MPD) for official statistical purposes with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). In separate statements, CelcomDigi, U Mobile, Telekom Malaysia and Maxis stressed that only anonymised data — without any personally identifiable information — will be shared with MCMC. CelcomDigi emphasised its strict adherence to existing data protection laws, including the Communications and Multimedia Act and the Personal Data Protection Act, adding that customer trust remains at the core of its operations. The telco acknowledged the ongoing discussions and concerns raised by the public over the MCMC initiative and said it is working closely with the commission to support the government's efforts without compromising the integrity of customer data. 'At all times, we operate under tight security protocols and in compliance with the relevant data protection laws and regulations, with stringent limitations on any personal identifiable information,' it said. U Mobile, meanwhile, affirmed that customer data and privacy are its top priority, with policies and processes in place to ensure any shared data is anonymised, aggregated and fully compliant with applicable data protection laws and regulations. 'We are aware of the objectives of the initiative and are committed to working with MCMC in a manner that upholds the highest standards of data governance,' it said. It noted that when the company does share its mobile phone data, at no point will personally identifiable information be revealed or processed. U Mobile remains committed to safeguarding customer privacy and ensuring full regulatory compliance in all aspects of data management, it added. TM also clarified that the mobile phone data submitted to MCMC is fully anonymised and does not contain any personally identifiable information. Data submission is carried out under strict governance and security protocols, with full compliance to applicable company policies as well as national laws and regulatory requirements, it said in a statement. 'TM remains fully committed to safeguarding the safety and privacy of customer data with responsibility and integrity,' it noted. Meanwhile, Maxis also said MCMC will have no access to personally identifiable information at any stage. It added that controls and processes are in place to ensure customers' personal data will not be compromised. 'All data is anonymised by Maxis and processed in an aggregated manner within a secure environment, in full compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2010,' it said in a statement. 'Maxis remains fully committed to protecting the data of all our customers.' On Friday, MCMC clarified that its collection of mobile phone data from mobile network operators does not involve the access, processing or disclosure of any personally identifiable information. MCMC said the mobile phone data will be used strictly to generate official statistics to support evidence-based policymaking in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector and the tourism sector. Earlier today, communications minister Fahmi Fadzil assured the public that MCMC is not collecting any personal information from telecommunications companies. He said MCMC's request for phone companies to hand over data on all mobile phone calls, made from January to March, is a Cabinet decision aimed at collecting data for the statistics department, with the goal of creating better policies and plans.

Nothing new or intrusive about mobile data sharing, says MCMC
Nothing new or intrusive about mobile data sharing, says MCMC

Free Malaysia Today

time2 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Nothing new or intrusive about mobile data sharing, says MCMC

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said the sharing of anonymised mobile phone data is done according to benchmark international standards. (Freepik pic) CYBERJAYA : The sharing of anonymised mobile phone data (MPD) with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is neither new nor intrusive, and mirrors what global tech platforms already do every day, says a commission member. Derek John Fernandez said the move is consistent with the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and falls within international best practices on data use for infrastructure planning and national development. 'This goes on every day if you subscribe to Google, Facebook – and they have even more than that. 'We do it within benchmark international standards. I refer you to the United Nations sustainability report, expert conferences, and the practice around the world on this matter,' he said in a media briefing today. He was responding to concerns about whether mobile users can opt out of the process if they are uncomfortable with the use of their data. MCMC deputy managing director Zulkarnain Yasin said opting out was not an option, as the move had been approved at the highest level. 'It's a Cabinet decision. What we are doing is for national development. This is also part of the regulatory requirements that we have asked the operators to comply with,' he said. Zulkarnain also said that the anonymised MPD collected by the communications ministry and MCMC is not classified as personal data as data they receive from mobile network operators (MNOs) cannot be used to identify or trace individuals. 'The eight data sets collected by MNOs only include an anonymised identifier set by the operators, the date and time of the transaction by transmitters, the location of the transmission tower connected to the devices, the type of network, and country identifier.' He also gave his assurance that the practice was in full compliance with Malaysian laws and international standards. When asked why the public had not been directly informed that the MPD sharing project was proceeding despite stakeholder engagement sessions, Zulkarnain said the process had been transparent at the government level. 'The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), when they got approval from the Cabinet, did a lot of media engagement, led by the chief statistician,' he said. DOSM representative Jamaliah Jaafar added that the project was thoroughly discussed and planned in collaboration with several key agencies. 'We had discussions on this project with MCMC, the telcos, and the tourism ministry. We also prepared a Cabinet paper, which was approved. 'Last year, we had a session with the telcos to explain what MPD is, what the benefits are, and why countries like Indonesia are already doing this,' she said. Yesterday, telco companies reaffirmed their commitment to protecting customer data following the sharing of MPD for official statistical purposes. In separate statements, CelcomDigi, U Mobile, Telekom Malaysia, and Maxis stressed that only anonymised data – without any personally identifiable information – would be shared with MCMC. On Friday, MCMC clarified that its collection of mobile phone data from MNOs did not involve the access, processing, or disclosure of any personally identifiable information.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store