Link to Us: http://snipr.com/wk9poll
The weekly poll results finally came out. Thanks for everyone's participation and totally Online Privacy Zone blog has collect 24 votes. Thanks again.
Which of the following act has been introduced on 2001 to protect one's personal data privacy in Malaysia? Options given are Data Personal Act, Cyber Security Act, Cyber Crime Act, Communication Act, Copyright Act, and I don't know. Majority (9 out of 24 votes, 38%) chose "I don't know". This could be understood because the introduction of the act in Malaysia is still new some more, the act is under progress. Furthermore, poll participators might lack of knowledge on law.
Next, 5 votes (21%) go to Data Personal Act. Congratulations to these participators who chose Data Personal Act because this Act is the correct answer. Malaysia has introduced this Data Personal A and this Act is currently progressing. It aims to give more protection and guard to one's personal information especially online personal information such as credit card number, password and so on. Nowadays, phishing scams are increased, therefore this Act could help to prevent one's online private data is being misused, investigate, and punish who misused someone's private information. Do not think this Data Personal Act is not related to online privacy because it is created for strengthen online information protection.
In addition, Cyber Security Act, Cyber Crime Act, and Communication Act have 3 votes (13%) for each. All these three Acts are not being introduced on 2001, obviously they are not the accurate answer. Moreover, Cyber Security Act is under U.S. lawsuit and the accurate name for this Act is CyberSecurity Act of 2009. Malaysia do have Computer Crimes Act 1997 but not Cyber Crime Act and it addresses to cyber crime activities and monitor those cyber crimes such as unauthorized access and copying of computer programs. On the other hand, Communication Act is not for personal data protection and the correct name for this Act in Malaysia is Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and it oversees framework of broadcasting, telecommunications, and on-line activities.
Lastly, only 1 vote (4%) goes to Copyright Act. In Malaysia, Copyright Act protect the originality of the work, authorship, prevent plagiarism, and others. Personal data deserves copyright? According to Laws of Malaysia, the Copyright Act 1987 only certain works are eligible for copyright such as films, sound recordings, broadcasts, literary works, musical works, and artistic works. Then, how do our personal data is eligible for copyright and its protection?
In conclusion, Malaysia first introduced cyber law is Computer Crimes Act 1997 and it is 13 years ago. Now Malaysia is going to strengthen Internet users' private data protection by introducing this Data Personal Act. That is pretty good job.
Reference:
Is Cyber Crime Reigning On A No Man's Land?, National ICT Security and Emergency Response Centre (NISER) [Online]
Retrieved on 13th March 2010
URL: http://www.cybersecurity.my/data/content_files/13/134.pdf?.diff=1177182839
