KUALA LUMPUR — Social media and messaging platforms have a duty to safeguard consumer data and information in today’s digital landscape.
As free social media and messaging apps like WhatsApp become increasingly common, the price of using these services is often paid with personal data.
The rapid pace of digitalisation means that even basic information, like phone numbers, can be used to gather more sensitive data, putting consumers at risk of scams and leaving them vulnerable online.
According to a report in The Edge, recognising the value of information to cybercriminals, Blackberry, in partnership with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is advocating for policies that help companies provide secure communication, enhancing data protection.
“We are trying, as a regulator, to push the onus [of protecting consumers onto platforms]. We can’t blame consumers because you are forced to use technologies, such as payments in a cashless society. They force technology onto you, so they must protect you,” said MCMC commission member and Online Harms and Information Security Committee chairman Derek John Fernandez.
Blackberry representatives and Fernandez stressed that all companies that provide these services must view the responsibility of implementing cybersecurity measures and consumer protection schemes as a capital infrastructure instead of a cost.
The social media licensing registration introduced last year demonstrates the country’s efforts to ensure that online platforms are clear about the types of data being shared and the third-party organisations that receive this information.
“[The platforms] cannot monetise the data as they like to anybody. They can only monetise the data necessary to provide the service, and they have to know and disclose who they are giving the data to. These are controls which we put at the platform level,” said Fernandez.
Meanwhile, as artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes become more advanced and are increasingly used in scams, Blackberry has highlighted the importance of maintaining good digital hygiene as a first step in preventing these scams.
It’s crucial to implement multiple layers of security for sensitive information, whether for personal or business accounts. Using two-factor authentication methods, like passkeys or biometric verification, can offer strong protection against potential threats.
“From a technology perspective, we welcome anything that is going to improve security or drive a conversation around being better secure in this world, and passkeys are absolutely a big evolution over using SMS for verification, for example,” Blackberry Asia Pacific senior director of strategic technical sales Jonathan Jackson told The Edge.
At the same time, Jackson emphasised the importance of verifying information at all levels to avoid falling victim to scams. For instance, if an individual receive a suspicious call or text, they can check its legitimacy by calling the number back; if the call doesn’t go through, it may indicate a scam.
Additionally, implementing a physical two-factor authentication method can enhance security. This could involve using specific safewords during online or phone conversations to ensure the person on the other end is trustworthy and not an AI or deepfake.
Other recommended practices include avoiding random links, installing anti-malware software on all devices, regularly updating software, and monitoring background activities, such as location sharing and active permissions. — March 10, 2025