MCMC probing claims of massive data breach

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and police are looking into claims that the personal data of millions of Malaysians has been breached.

The data breach was previously highlighted on the local online forum and news site Lowyat.net.

MCMC said it had requested the Lowyat.net website administrator to remove the post and advertisement – which offered personal data for sale on the forum – as a precautionary measure.

The administrator complied with the request and removed both the article and advertisement, MCMC said in a statement here yesterday.

The commission also urged all parties not to speculate on the matter until the authorities had com pleted their investigation.

On Thursday, the data breach was highlighted on Lowyat.net but the article was soon removed with a note that the MCMC had ordered the takedown. However, the story continued to develop on social media.

Claims were made that the personal data dating from 20122015 of millions of Malaysians had been obtained illegally and was being sold online. Several local and regional companies and organisations were been listed as being breached.

The Personal Data Protection Commission had also issued a statement, saying that it was investigating this issue in accordance with provisions under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010.