Latest news with #MobilePhoneData
The Star
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
‘Our data is not a plaything'
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.'
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Govt's data collection directive sparks privacy concerns, says Dr Wee
PETALING JAYA: 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, said Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong. He also said there is no need to have such detailed information for facilitating policymaking in the information, communications and technology (ICT) sector, and the tourism sector, as clarified by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). 'This is not a question of whether we trust in the current government or not. The question is, why does the government want to collect such detailed information on its citizens? 'Today, we say it's to study tourism statistics. We don't know what it'll be for tomorrow. 'You want to calculate tourists? You want to calculate active broadband users? You don't need the people's personal data. Aggregate data is enough,' Dr Wee said in a posting on his Facebook page on Saturday (June 7). It was previously reported that, according to industry sources, the government in April had ordered telcos in Malaysia to hand over detailed records of phone calls and internet logs for the first three months of this year, supposedly for the government's 'Mobile Phone Data' project. The records demanded purportedly include information about call logs, IP call records, location, latitude and longitude. It was also reported that if the telcos failed to comply, it would be considered an offence under the Communications and Multimedia Act, carrying a penalty of RM20,000 fine or six months' jail. MCMC has since explained that this move is to support evidence-based policymaking in two key sectors, i.e. the ICT and tourism sectors. The commission also stressed that the data will be anonymised before it is submitted to them and that no individual subscriber can be identified through the data collected. 'In both cases, no individual subscriber can be identified through the data collected,' MCMC said. However, Dr Wee said anonymising the data is not enough to maintain the privacy of the users, especially in an increasingly connected world. 'If you're collecting data on who we call, how long we talk, our Internet IP, and our location, including latitude and longitude - with such consistent location data showing the exact time and day, anyone with access to this data can easily match it back to our identities. 'Our identities can be uncovered very easily,' he said. 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. MCMC had also previously said they engaged extensively with all telcos over the past two years on the safe handover of the data, but Dr Wee questioned the need to threaten the telcos if this is true. 'If it is true that this is all safe and it has all been agreed upon for two years, why is there a need to threaten the telcos?' Ultimately, he said, this is not about politics but about the rights of the people. 'Our personal data is not the right of any government, whether today, tomorrow or those to come. 'When the government starts collecting such detailed data, that has already crossed the line. 'The Malaysian people must raise this issue. Our data is not a plaything.'
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
MCMC: Mobile data used only for anonymised national statistics
CYBERJAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has clarified that no Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from telcos has been accessed, processed or disclosed. In a statement posted on social media today, the commission said mobile phone data (MPD) collected under its programme is fully anonymised and used solely to produce official statistics to support policymaking in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and tourism sectors. It said the data is limited to aggregate metrics such as active broadband subscriptions and domestic visitor trends by region. "Telcos either process the anonymised data internally or submit it to MCMC without any information that could identify individual users. In both cases, no individual subscriber can be identified," it said. MCMC added that the data programme was developed in line with international best practices, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science. The initiative reportedly underwent two years of engagement with mobile network operators (MNOs), government ministries and statisticians. A national workshop held in September 2024 included participation from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti), the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac), and major MNOs including CelcomDigi, Maxis, TM Tech, U Mobile and YTL. MCMC said the use of MPD as a new source of national statistics is part of the government's strategy to enhance the quality and timeliness of data for policy and planning. The commission noted that similar models are already in place in countries such as Indonesia and Brazil, where anonymised telecommunications data is used to improve statistical systems while safeguarding user privacy. Earlier today, the South China Morning Post reported that two industry sources confirmed the government had, in April, sent a letter to telcos directing them to submit detailed records of calls and internet use for the first quarter of 2025. The letter, issued under the government's Mobile Phone Data project, reportedly warned that non-compliance would be an offence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA).
