Consumers group calls for strong data security in social media age verification rollout

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) has called for strong data security safeguards to be in place for the government’s age verification requirement for social media accounts, which came into force yesterday.

The association said the policy, which mandates identity verification and restricts access for users under 16, was a crucial step towards strengthening digital safety amid rising online scams, cyber threats and exposure to harmful content.

“We also stress the importance of personal data protection in this implementation and hope it is carried out with high security standards.

“PPIM will continue to monitor this closely to ensure user rights are protected,” it said in a statement.

PPIM described the policy as a structural move to balance digital access with user protection.

“In the current context of rising cybercrime and digital manipulation, this is a more structured effort to balance technological access and user safety, particularly for youths,” it added.

The association also welcomed the introduction of the Child Protection Code (CPC) and Risk Mitigation Code (RMC), saying it would improve accountability among digital platform providers in content moderation and system safety.

It urged social media platforms to comply with the CPC and RMC by speeding up age verification systems and strengthening user protection measures.

PPIM said digital safety required a holistic approach involving education, continuous monitoring and multi-stakeholder cooperation, adding that implementation must be transparent and practical for public benefit.

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المصدر: New Straits Times