Latest news with #MalaysiaCyberConsumerAssociation
The Star
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Confronting digital threats
PETALING JAYA: The collection and real-time interception of digital evidence proposed by the Home Ministry are essential tools for probing serious crimes and threats, especially in cyberspace, say legal and cybersecurity experts. Computer science expert Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Tengku Sembok said that as the Home Ministry reviews the national cybercrime framework, the proposed expansion of enforcement powers, and the magnitude and complexity of today's cyber threats underscore the urgent need for modernised legal instruments. 'For Malaysia, aligning legal authority with these provisions would allow investigators to track sophisticated offenders more effectively,' he said when contacted yesterday. He was commenting on reports that Malaysia is set to sign the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime in October, according to Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The Home Minister said on July 23 that the country is also in the process of joining the Budapest Convention, i.e. the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. However, Tengku Mohd said that such powers must be carefully circumscribed as real-time collection should only be permitted with judicial oversight and only for defined serious offences. 'Procedural safeguards such as time-limited authorisations, audit logging and data minimisation must be included in the framework,' he said. Oversight mechanisms, he added, should include independent reviews, periodic public reporting and clearly defined accountability protocols. 'These controls are vital to ensure that public trust and civil liberties are maintained,' he said. Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil said the upcoming legislation should be more inclusive and have stronger enforcement powers to face various ever-evolving cyber threats. 'We hope the police will lead the enforcement efforts through a dedicated cybercrime department, given that cybercrime is among the most reported threats, according to various authorities. 'The most common threats the public is currently facing are online scams, fraud and phishing, with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated phishing links,' he said. He added that cybercrime isn't limited to financial scams, but is also evolving with the misuse of AI and sexual crimes against children. 'People may not even realise that they are victims of such a scam. 'For instance, if their photos are exploited for AI-generated content, that is also cybercrime. 'And there are many cases of those using pictures of VIPs to dupe victims,' he said, adding that the government should consider all of these situations. Malaysian Bar Legal Tech, AI and Sandbox committee co-chairperson Sathish Mavath Ramachandran said that of late, the Bar Council is frequently consulted by federal regulators and government ministries and agencies regarding law reform and legal issues. 'That includes amendments to existing laws and regulations, as well as formulation of new laws and regulations. 'This is a truly transformational development. 'Our suggestions and proposals are not always accepted, but that is to be expected. 'The regulators and our Federal Government must ultimately decide based on their processes, procedures, protocols and policies. 'The consultation over the past two and a half years has been meaningful, especially in the areas of cyber, technology, digital and personal data laws, including AI and cybercrimes,' he said. One of the key longstanding challenges in tackling cybercrime is its cross-border nature, said data protection practitioner Deepak Pillai. 'Cybercrime incidents often involve perpetrators or digital infrastructure that are located across multiple jurisdictions. 'This significantly limits the ability of local enforcement agencies to effectively investigate, gather evidence, recover affected assets or take further enforcement action. 'As such, it is a welcome development that the government is planning to join international frameworks such as the Budapest Convention and the UN Convention on Cybercrime,' he said.
The Star
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Balancing screen time and safety: The challenge for today's parents
At what age did you get your first smartphone or sign up for social media? For many adults, it likely happened in their late teens or early twenties, but for kids today, their dive into the digital world often comes much earlier, at times even before they start schooling. Countless concerns have been raised on whether children are being exposed to too much, too soon, and the potentially detrimental long-term effects that may come alongside it. Countries like Australia and France have taken a hardline stance on the matter, with France passing a parental consent law for users under 15, and Australia's under-16 ban is set to be enforced in December. French President Emmanuel Macron has even said that the country would impose a further blanket ban on social media use for those under 15, should progress at the EU level to limit teenage screen time lag behind. Meanwhile, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said back in January this year that the country does not currently have any plans to impose a minimum age requirement when it comes to social media access. He later said in March that any move to impose such a restriction would require a thorough analysis of how it could affect access to information and communication among those impacted, as well as the potential psychological and developmental implications. He also noted that most platforms have set 13 years old as a minimum age requirement, and said that the Malaysian government would monitor their enforcement. According to Siraj, platforms struggle with effectively enforcing age restrictions. — SIRAJ JALIL According to Siraj Jalil, president of the Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA), such monitoring is a step forward, but is still not an airtight solution to the issue. 'Globally, platforms struggle to enforce age restrictions effectively, often relying on self-declaration mechanisms that are easily circumvented. 'Enforcement tends to be weak unless backed by strong regulatory requirements and technology-based age assurance. 'Malaysia should expect platforms to strengthen their verification systems and should complement this with national efforts to raise awareness among parents and children about the importance of respecting these thresholds,' he said. Srividhya Ganapathy, the co-chairperson of the Child Rights Innovation and Betterment (CRIB) Foundation, on the other hand, advocated for a more serious approach, stressing that monitoring alone is not enough. 'In practice, children regularly create accounts long before the age of 13, often without any real safeguards in place. The so-called enforcement of age restrictions is inconsistent and largely symbolic. 'Once online, children face a range of risks – cyberbullying being one of the most prevalent. Many children are targeted in private messages or group chats, with little visibility or intervention from adults. For some, the bullying continues across multiple platforms, and the lack of a clear support or reporting pathway means the harm often goes unnoticed and unaddressed. 'We cannot continue to rely on platforms to police themselves. Vague promises of monitoring aren't enough. We need enforceable standards, better age verification, and a proactive, not reactive, approach to safeguarding children online. Children's safety should not be left to the goodwill of corporations,' she said. Tech too soon? From the perspective of those like Srividhya, haphazardly setting an age requirement is not the end of the story. She believes that while such age requirements may serve as a benchmark, there needs to be an overarching strategy that includes measures to provide age-appropriate education so that kids learn how to engage the digital world via smartphones and social media when the time eventually comes. Srividhya believes that there needs to be an overarching strategy that includes measures to provide age-appropriate education so that kids learn how to engage the digital world via smartphones and social media when the time eventually comes. — Photo by Sanket Mishra on Unsplash 'Outright bans often drive children to access technology in secret, without support or protection. 'Instead, we must equip them with the knowledge and confidence to navigate digital spaces safely and responsibly. A minimum age should be the starting point, not the solution. 'We also need to acknowledge the realities faced by Malaysian families. Smartphones are no longer luxuries; they are everyday tools for communication, education, and payment. 'Many parents – especially those who are divorced or working full-time – rely on phones to stay connected with their children throughout the day, whether during custody transitions, at daycare or tuition, or while their child is commuting alone,' she said. Srividhya called for guidelines on digital competencies for kids and parental roles. — ART CHEN/The Star Siraj similarly added that while such restrictions may, in theory, prevent younger children from creating their accounts, they have little bearing on children with access to smartphones who can circumvent them to consume content on these platforms. 'In reality, many children under 13 actively use platforms like YouTube and TikTok, even if the accounts are registered under parents or older siblings. 'Therefore, while benchmarks are important, the more urgent need is for better education and resources for parents and children to use these technologies responsibly and safely from an early age,' he said. While it's clear that smartphones and social media have a place, parental involvement and guidance are crucial, at least according to Allistair Adam Anak Nelson, a registered clinical psychologist and lecturer at the Taylor's University School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He noted that research has drawn a link between the excessive use of social media and screen time at an early age with higher levels of depression, anxiety, poor sleep, body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem. These concerns are only heightened by exposure to things such as cyberbullying, unrealistic body standards, and the constant need for online validation. 'Childhood and early adulthood, roughly from the age of 10 to early 20s, is a time when the brain is still developing, especially in areas related to emotion regulation, self-control, and social awareness. 'This makes young people more vulnerable to the emotional highs and lows of social media. 'Age restrictions merely delay the exposure to age-inappropriate or harmful content, as many children can easily bypass them by entering false birthdates. Allistair Adam said thoughtful consideration is needed to develop healthy screen use. — Taylor's University 'Restrictions alone do not address the need for children to learn how to navigate the digital space safely and responsibly,' he said, further stressing the need for digital literacy. Allistair Adam added that it could come in the form of screen time boundaries set by parents, co-viewing content, open communication on media use, and modelling healthy digital habits. 'Children need more than just the ability to use a device – they must understand privacy, recognise safe content, and distinguish between reality and fantasy.' Meanwhile Raihan Munira Moh Sani, a lecturer with the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation's School of Psychology (APU), said that these technologies should not be seen as being inherently harmful. 'When assessing a child's readiness for a smartphone or social media access, it is essential to look beyond age and consider developmental indicators. 'One important factor is social awareness and empathy, where children should be able to understand the impact of their words and actions on others and demonstrate respectful behaviour in both online and offline peer interactions. 'Equally important is their understanding of boundaries. This includes knowing what is appropriate to share online, recognising the importance of privacy, and being aware of screen time limits. 'These indicators reflect a child's ability to navigate digital spaces responsibly and safely,' she said. Clicking into childhood From Allistair Adam's point of view, there are no hard and fast rules on the 'right' age when it comes to children using things like smartphones, social media, or even engaging in online games. 'Often, smartphones are given to children as a digital pacifier to keep them calm or preoccupied, especially in public settings. 'While this may offer quick relief, developing healthy screen time usage requires more thoughtful consideration,' he said. Raihan Munira advised parents to look beyond age and consider developmental indicators to see if their kids are ready for screen use. — APU There are some guideposts available for parents to have a point of reference. For instance, Allistair Adam said that the World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend screen time at all for kids below two years of age, while those aged between two to four should be limited to just an hour each day. Raihan Munira, on the other hand, said that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 18 months old be kept off screen-based media entirely, except for video chatting. She further said that for children aged 18 to 24 months, any digital content should be limited to high-quality programming viewed together with a parent, while for those aged two to five, screen time should be capped at one hour a day. From age six onwards, parents should set clear, consistent limits on both screen time and content. Vinorra Shaker, the head of the school of psychology at APU, highlighted that Malaysian children are becoming increasingly connected with the digital world, which has turned out to be somewhat of a double-edged sword. She said that while Malaysian children are generally tech-savvy, with competency in navigating apps, social media platforms, and games, this does not necessarily translate to being able to engage digital spaces safely. 'Compared to children in some developed countries like those in Scandinavia or parts of Western Europe, Malaysian kids often have less structured digital education. 'This means they might be more exposed to online risks such as cyberbullying, privacy breaches, or harmful content. A Unicef study even found that while Malaysian youth are confident online, many don't fully understand how to protect themselves from threats. 'The good news is that digital literacy programmes are growing in schools, and awareness among parents and educators is increasing. From age six onwards, parents should set clear, consistent limits on both screen time and content, said Raihan Munira. — Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash 'But there's still a gap to close when it comes to teaching children not just how to use technology, but how to use it responsibly and safely,' she said. As Allistair Adam pointed out, 'studies from states such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Kedah show that most preschoolers are already using smartphones and other digital devices regularly'. One of the studies, 'Screen Media Dependency And Its Associated Factors Among Preschool Children In Kuala Lumpur' published in the Malaysian Journal Of Medicine And Health Sciences in May 2023, found that over 65% of preschoolers in Kuala Lumpur show signs of dependence on their devices. Another study, 'Determinants of Excessive Screen Time Among Children Under Five Years Old in Selangor, Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study' published in the International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health in March 2022, found that over 90% of preschoolers in Selangor exceed recommended screen time limits, underscoring a lack in digital maturity among Malaysian children when compared to their peers in countries with structured digital literacy programmes. 'This gap between access and readiness increases their vulnerability to digital dependency, cyberbullying, and misinformation. 'It highlights the need for nationwide digital literacy initiatives and child-focused online safety policies,' he said. Greater guidance Srividhya further called for concrete guidelines from the government that are 'clear, practical, and grounded in the realities of Malaysian families, not just borrowed from other jurisdictions or imposed in a top-down way'. 'There's too much uncertainty. Parents, schools, and even platforms are often left to interpret things for themselves, which leads to inconsistent decisions and, ultimately, children falling through the cracks.' She said that the country does not necessarily need new blanket laws, but rather a framework that provides guidance in the form of minimum standards that also offers some flexibility. This could come in the form of general suggestions for platforms based on age, and the specific kinds of digital competencies children need to access them, along with the responsibilities held by parents, educators, and platforms, she added. 'It's not just about when a child can go online – it's about how they should be supported when they do. 'Right now, our response to children's digital access tends to be reactive. A case goes viral, there's public outcry, and we start talking about bans or surveillance. 'But these approaches don't address the core issue: most children are getting online anyway – often unsupervised and unprepared. 'Without national guidelines that put child rights and child realities at the centre, we're just leaving families to figure it out on their own,' Srividhya said. For Allistair Adam, it comes down to ensuring that a child is emotionally prepared to engage with the digital world. 'For parents, assessing readiness involves observing whether the child can regulate their emotions, follow rules, manage screen time without being attached, recognise unsafe or inappropriate content, and communicate openly with their parents on their digital use. 'Children should also be able to balance screen time with other important daily activities such as schoolwork, play and family time. 'Policymakers, on the other hand, can support this by ensuring access to early digital literacy education, promoting age-appropriate platform design, and developing national guidelines that safeguard children's digital well-being. 'In the end, readiness is not just whether a child has the skills to manage screen time but whether they have received the right modelling, guidance, and support to use digital tools wisely – that should be the best indicator,' he said.
The Star
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Clearer path to justice for doxxing victims
PETALING JAYA: The inclusion of doxxing, defined as the act of distributing someone's personal information without their consent, into Malaysia's criminal code marks a turning point in protecting victims targeted for online notoriety, say experts. The amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, aimed at addressing both physical and cyberbullying, came into effect yesterday. With this, doxxing is now officially classified as a serious crime punishable by up to three years' imprisonment. New provisions under Sections 507B to 507G have been introduced, providing for proportionate penalties for offences involving threats, insults or defamatory communication that cause emotional distress or fear. Association of Women Lawyers president Jasmine Wong welcomed the explicit criminalisation of doxxing under Section 507E, noting the significance of the law in tackling online abuse, especially against women and girls, who are disproportionately affected. 'Victims will finally have a clearer path to seek redress, but without strong enforcement, platform accountability and survivor-protection mechanisms, the impact may remain limited. 'We urge these laws to be implemented transparently and fairly with safeguards to prevent misuse. 'The criminalisation of doxxing is a positive development, but meaningful protection for women requires more than punishment; it requires a broader system of accountability, education and care,' she said. While applauding the overdue recognition of digital harm, Wong cautioned against the broad language in the amendments, which could be open to abuse if not carefully applied. 'There's a real risk these provisions could be misused to silence legitimate expression, dissent or criticism, particularly by those in power,' she warned. 'Sections 507B to 507E, though well-intentioned, use broad and subjective terms such as 'insulting' or 'distress', which risk being weaponised to suppress criticism or unpopular speech.' Wong also highlighted the lack of focus on restorative justice, survivor support and platform owner accountability. Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association president Siraj Jalil said the formal criminalisation of doxxing sends a clear message that such behaviour carries consequences and gives victims a legal path to seek justice. However, he said the government also has a responsibility to educate people on these laws and what constitutes bullying. Parent Action Group for Education chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said with the legal framework now in place, several steps can be taken effectively, including promoting digital citizenship programmes and establishing a support system for victims. 'The new law is not just a tool for punishment, but a foundation for a safer, more respectful digital environment. 'For students, it offers protection; for educators and institutions, it is a call to act with greater accountability. 'Moving forward, collaboration between educators, parents, students and legal authorities is key to making the Internet a safer space for all,' she said. The Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025 and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 2025 were passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 10, 2024, and in the Dewan Negara on Dec 16, 2024.
The Star
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Ratings, reviews and riddles: What's the deal with online reviews?
One of the first things that online shoppers usually search for when looking to buy something is user reviews. Rows upon rows of stars, scores, and ratings that are meant to guide and inform each and every purchase can in reality turn out to be far less useful than hoped for these days. From Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) deputy president Azrul Zafri Azmi's perspective, reviews remain very relevant to Malaysian consumers, especially when it comes to things like ordering from e-commerce platforms or deciding on where to eat. According to him, studies have shown that 71% of Malaysians take reviews into account before making an online purchase. However, he says that there are still some clear underlying issues when it comes to online reviews in Malaysia. 'The challenge now is not access to reviews, but how authentic and reliable they are. 'Honestly, trust has dropped a bit in recent years. Some consumers have started to question reviews that sound too generic or too perfect. 'We're seeing more fake reviews, incentivised ones, and even copy-pasted feedback across listings. These trends make it harder for genuine reviews to stand out,' Azrul Zafri says. Tainted trust This rings true for KL-based auditor Lee Xien Wen, an avid online shopper who says he has encountered everything from irrelevant and unhelpful reviews to ones he suspects are outright fake. 'Some of the reviews would say things like, 'Looks pretty, haven't tried it yet', often repeated in different languages. 'It makes me think they're just trying to earn points or rewards, or could even be fake reviews generated by bots. 'If I see too many like that, I usually avoid the seller or brand altogether and look for a different option,' he says, adding that this has led him to prefer official seller pages for products rather than third parties' pages, and to look for user-posted product review videos that appear to be more genuine. From Azrul Zafri's point of view, reviews being left on e-commerce platforms solely to obtain rewards, without any helpful information for other potential buyers, undermine the purpose of reviews entirely. From Azrul Zafri's point of view, reviews being left on e-commerce platforms solely to obtain rewards, without any helpful information for other potential buyers, undermine the purpose of reviews entirely. — AZRUL ZAFRI AZMI 'This is a big issue. It's unethical, and more importantly, it misleads others. Some platforms give coins or points for every review, which unintentionally encourages this behaviour. 'When users rate a product they haven't even tried, it defeats the whole purpose of helping other consumers make better choices,' he says. According to Azrul Zafri, those leaving such reviews may not fully understand the impact of what they are doing, which in the long run 'damages the system that all of us rely on – and genuine buyers end up getting misled', he adds. An April 2025 statement from the Mufti of Federal Territory's Office (FT Mufti) similarly states that leaving false reviews or ratings for products purchased on e-commerce platforms without using them or examining their quality is an act of deception, which is prohibited or 'haram'. The FT Mufti further states that any rewards obtained through disingenuous reviews are also considered 'haram' and should be left unused until their expiry. Azrul Zafri further notes that there are also restaurants that offer discounts or free items in exchange for five-star ratings on platforms like Google, which he believes is problematic. 'I think encouraging reviews is fine – but when businesses tie rewards specifically to five-star ratings, it becomes manipulative. 'It's no longer about feedback; it's about boosting ratings unfairly. It also puts pressure on customers to give high scores, whether they mean it or not,' he says. Confusing mix Concerns have also been raised about e-commerce platform features that aggregate reviews on similar items within the same product category from other listings across the site. Azrul Zafri says that the aggregated reviews might not even refer to the exact same product, potentially misleading buyers. 'When reviews from different sellers or product variants are lumped together, consumers may think they're looking at feedback for the exact item they're buying – when they're not. 'That creates confusion, especially if one seller has poor service or quality,' he says. Shoppers like Lee point out that reviews from other sellers are not indicative of how responsive or reliable a specific seller may be, while sellers like Fithry Akbar Ali feel that the feature is unfair, as it took them years to build a strong reputation, with newer sellers benefiting from the pool of existing reviews that they did not earn. Fithry Akbar operates an online shop primarily centred around video games. 'I've encountered new competitors who just started selling similar products as myself and others, but noticed their product has over 500 reviews, despite it being a new listing. 'It completely kills off years and years of reviews built by original sellers. Buyers would then simply buy from these new sellers, thinking their product is trustworthy and reliable due to the high ratings,' he says. He also highlights the possibility of counterfeit product listings being associated with real ones due to being furnished with aggregated reviews, which could further mislead consumers into buying fake products. Fake reviews have become a significant concern across e-commerce platforms, especially overseas, according to various reports. — Image by freepik In a statement to LifestyleTech, a Shopee spokesperson addressed these concerns, stating that the intended purpose of such aggregated reviews is to provide assistance to new sellers and product listings. 'This feature only lasts for seven calendar days from the time of a new listing creation, after which sellers will have to rely on themselves to get good reviews. 'All such reviews are clearly marked within the app as 'Similar Product'. These Similar Product Reviews provide helpful product context for newer listings, but they do not replace the seller's effort in earning buyer trust,' it says. The e-commerce platform adds that it is not a replacement for other metrics such as store ratings, fulfilment speed, and chat responsiveness, which individual shops must still earn independently. 'Through this feature, we aim to promote fairer competition on the platform, prioritising quality, value, and service instead of legacy seller reputation alone. 'New or smaller sellers with strong offerings benefit from a level playing field, while buyers enjoy a broader range of trusted options. 'Building consumer trust and providing fair opportunities for sellers remain top priorities for Shopee,' it says. Filtering fakes The platforms themselves say that they have mechanisms in place to ensure that reviews left by customers are authentic. For instance, Lazada says in a statement to LifestyleTech that it uses 'AI (artificial intelligence) to guide users in writing more informative reviews, prompting them to comment on key aspects such as durability, design, and functionality. 'To encourage authentic user-generated content, Lazada offers LazCoins as incentives – with the highest coin rewards granted only to reviews that meet minimum word counts and include supporting visuals like photos or videos. 'We continuously moderate our review platform and take proactive steps to reduce unhelpful or suspicious reviews,' it says. The e-commerce platform adds that it also uses AI and performs manual checks of reviews to detect 'inauthentic patterns' and flags certain high-quality ones as 'Quality Reviews'. Meanwhile, the Shopee spokesperson says only customers who have actually purchased a product are able to leave reviews. 'Shopee takes a serious view of fake ratings or reviews. Under Shopee's Terms of Service, sellers must not take any action that undermines Shopee's feedback or rating system. 'Users found to be engaging in manipulative activities will face a range of penalties, including having their accounts frozen or being permanently banned on our platform. 'Consumers who are concerned they may have bought products based on fake ratings and reviews can report such products to Shopee for our investigations. They may also raise a Return/Refund request to get a refund for their purchase,' the spokesperson says. Both platforms allow users to further indicate if specific reviews are 'helpful' to boost their visibility to others as well. While Azrul Zafri acknowledges the efforts being made by the platforms, he says that more can still be done. 'Platforms need better filters for fake or copy-paste reviews, and they should educate users more clearly on review ethics,' he adds. Fake reviews have become a significant concern across e-commerce platforms, especially overseas, according to various reports. Most recently, the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) obtained a formal commitment from Amazon earlier this month to address fake reviews and 'catalogue abuse', which is a practice where sellers repurpose existing product listings to sell unrelated or lower-quality items by misleading consumers, following a four-year probe. This commitment comes in the form of faster detection systems, prompt removal of fraudulent reviews, and imposing bans on offending sellers and reviewers. Travel planning and booking platform, TripAdvisor, similarly reported a slew of fake reviews on its website in 2024. Based on figures from the website's 'Transparency Report 2025', 8% of the 31.1 million reviews it received that year were fake. This includes manipulative reviews meant to 'boost' a location or business's reputation, vandalism from a competitor, promotions of unrelated services or agendas, and paid reviews. Quest for quality Azrul Zafri advises that Malaysians treat reviews as a starting point and to be savvier consumers by looking beyond surface-level star ratings. He also recommends that shoppers be wary of overly generic comments and to try to find more detailed feedback instead. 'Reviews help, but they're not the full story. These days, I always tell people: don't just stop at star ratings. Take a bit of time to really get to know what you're buying. 'First, it's good to check the same product across different platforms – Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop – because sometimes the listings look the same but the sellers or the prices are very different. If it looks too cheap to be true, chances are... it probably is. 'Also, I personally like to watch quick (video) reviews. Even a short video can show how the item looks, how it's used, or what people honestly think about it – that's often more helpful than a wall of copy-paste reviews. 'Another good tip is to read comments in Facebook groups or forums. Malaysians are quite active online, and you'll often find people sharing real experiences – both good and bad – especially when a product disappoints or doesn't match expectations. 'Spend a few extra minutes doing a quick check, and it can save you from a lot of regret later,' he says. Azrul Zafri also believes that some form of light regulation by the Malaysian government would be helpful in facilitating a better e-commerce environment for local consumers. This would serve not to police opinions, but instead to ensure transparency. He suggests introducing a code of conduct for platforms to clearly define what is permitted, what isn't, and how to handle cases of abuse. He adds that ideally, this should be developed with input from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, relevant ministries, and civil society. 'Just like we've done with cybersecurity and online scams, we need to promote digital literacy and ethics – especially among students and young adults. 'I think it should be a joint effort between government, NGOs like MCCA, schools, and even the platforms themselves,' he says.
New Straits Times
14-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Secret online group sharing sexualised images of children, teens
KUALA LUMPUR: A clandestine social media group is reportedly collecting and sharing images of children and underage teenagers, sexualising them among members. More disturbingly, the group also possesses collections of images of underage teenagers in school uniforms, said Siraj Jalil, president of the Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA). Siraj, who recently exposed the group, said it had been operating for a considerable time. He added that membership is restricted to individuals identified as having similar "habits" and who are trusted by the administrators. "The group exists on several platforms, including mainstream social media and digital communication applications like Telegram." The group uses closed forums to exchange photos and videos of children, including those secretly recorded or uploaded without parental consent. Siraj said the photos of children in school uniforms were subjected to obscene and disgusting comments. He called for action against the group's administrators and urged social media platforms to detect, report, and block such groups. "We cannot wait until victims suffer physical abuse or become victims of these people's perverse acts. The collection and dissemination of these images themselves are a serious form of exploitation," he said. He also urged parents to be more vigilant about photos of their children shared online and to activate maximum privacy settings. "MCCA is ready to cooperate with enforcement agencies, including the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), to combat cybercrime activities targeting children." Late last year, the police and MCMC conducted a series of coordinated raids across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Terengganu, Penang, and Perak. The operation led to the arrest of 13 suspects and the seizure of 40,000 child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) and pornographic content from various devices.
