KUALA LUMPUR, February 1 – As debates over privacy and surveillance intensify, experts urge Malaysians to reassess the role of mobile phone data (MPD) as a tool for national development when governed ethically and transparently, noting that anonymised and aggregated MPD cannot identify individuals nor access communications content.
But can instead support public health planning, transport optimisation, emergency response and tourism management, provided strong safeguards, equal enforcement of the Personal Data Protection Act, clear public communication of purpose, and independent oversight are in place.
With cybersecurity and data governance expert Ts Dato’ Dr Husin Jazri emphasising that trust, privacy-by-design, and consistent governance are essential for transforming MPD from a source of public concern into a valuable national asset that strengthens services, economic resilience and shared prosperity.
