THE MyDigital ID registration system at kiosks will be enhanced with facial biometric verification in a major security upgrade aimed at strengthening identity authentication and preventing misuse of digital identities, the National Security Council (NSC) said.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NSC said the new system will incorporate real-time facial biometric checks against the National Registration Department (NRD) database during the registration process.
“This measure is aimed at strengthening the accuracy of identity verification while reducing the risk of identity misuse and unauthorised access,” the statement said.
The initiative forms part of wider efforts to reinforce Malaysia’s digital identity infrastructure amid growing concerns over cyber fraud, identity theft and online impersonation.
According to the NSC, existing users will also be required to undergo periodic facial biometric re-verification to ensure continued protection of their digital identity credentials.
The council said the upgrades will be implemented in phases across all MyDigital ID kiosks nationwide, with maintenance and system updates scheduled from 6am on June 12 until 6am on June 14.
During the upgrade period, kiosk-based registration services may be temporarily affected. However, the NSC confirmed that users can still register for MyDigital ID through mobile devices by downloading the official application from the App Store, Google Play or Huawei AppGallery.
“The increasing use of digital services by the public, businesses and government agencies has made the need to protect digital identities more critical amid threats such as online fraud, identity impersonation, data theft and cyber exploitation,” the statement said.
The NSC added that MyDigital ID plays a central role in Malaysia’s national digital identity ecosystem by enabling secure authentication across a wide range of public and private sector digital services.
It also said it would continue working with relevant agencies to coordinate broader identity security enhancements across platforms, including MyKad, in order to safeguard citizens’ personal data and strengthen trust in digital transactions.
The announcement reflects Malaysia’s ongoing push to modernise its digital infrastructure while addressing increasing cybersecurity risks associated with the rapid expansion of online services. - June 12, 2026
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