KUALA LUMPUR – The Communications and Multimedia Ministry has issued an order to internet service providers (ISPs) to block the sale of data on an open-source intelligence website.
Its minister, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, said the action ordering the removal of the website was issued at around 6.30pm Sunday, June 12 after the sale of data from the website was exposed on Twitter in the morning of the same day.
“Immediate checks and investigations were conducted by the ministry through the Personal Data Protection Department (JPDP), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM) on the contents and background of the related website the same day.
“At the same time, a detailed further investigation is currently being jointly conducted by the National Cybersecurity Agency (Nacsa), JPDP, CSM, MCMC, police, and Bank Negara Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.
Annuar said his ministry through JPDP with the assistance of MCMC and CSM will continue to monitor and supervise the processing of personal data in commercial transactions to ensure that they comply with the principles under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709).
“The security of personal data owned by the federal government and state governments will always be ensured by related government agencies and Nacsa.
“The federal government and the state governments are also advised to apply the seven personal data protection principles under Act 709 as guidelines or best practices to ensure personal data of Malaysians are preserved,” he added.
Annuar said under Section 130 of Act 709, any offence relating to the sale of personal data is punishable with fines of no more than RM500,000 or no more than three years’ jail or both.
“Cooperation from every quarter is very important to curb any leaks, misuse or sale of personal data to irresponsible parties,” he added. – Bernama, June 14, 2022
