PRESS RELEASE
MALAYSIA'S FIRST INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM TO MONITOR THE SALE OF PERSONAL DATA ON THE DARK WEB TO BE LAUNCHED IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR
KUALA LUMPUR, 18 FEBRUARY 2025 – The Ministry of Digital will introduce an intelligence system to monitor the sale of personal data on the dark web in the second quarter of this year.
Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo, in his speech at the Dewan Rakyat today, stated that the Intelligence Support Automation Capability Project for Personal Data Leakage Case Management is Malaysia's first intelligence system aimed at monitoring the sale of personal data on the dark web.
"This project was developed in response to growing concerns about the sale and transaction of personal data through online shopping platforms, including the dark web. The project will be launched in the second quarter of this year," said Gobind.
This initiative is part of the Ministry of Digital’s efforts, through the Personal Data Protection Commissioner (PDP), to address the escalating global digital security crisis.
The Ministry of Digital, through the PDP Commissioner, is also actively enhancing enforcement activities, strengthening advocacy programs, and upgrading software, applications, and security measures used to regulate personal data protection laws, including:
a. Increasing personal data system inspection activities under Section 101, Act 709, by at least 30% in 2025 compared to 2024. In addition to on-site inspections at company and organizational premises, the PDP Commissioner will also intensify online selfassessments to enhance compliance with personal data processing regulations.
b. Intensifying raids based on reports of data breaches and cybersecurity incidents occurring in companies and organizations involved in commercial data processing.
c. Establishing PDP Commissioner offices in various locations nationwide, beginning with offices in the Sabah and Sarawak zones, followed by other designated zones to facilitate the coordination and execution of enforcement activities in each respective region.
d. Strengthening advocacy programs and awareness campaigns on the importance of compliance in personal data processing for commercial transactions, based on Personal Data Protection Principles.
"In addition, the PDP Commissioner will implement the Information Security and Privacy Management System (ISPMS) Certification Project based on ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS) and ISO/IEC 27701 Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) standards to ensure the security of software, applications, information systems, and regulatory entity privacy under Act 709 remains at an optimal level according to international standards," said Gobind.
"In an effort to develop national cybersecurity expertise, CyberSecurity Malaysia, an agency under the Ministry of Digital, will establish the Malaysian Cyber Security Academy, as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in September last year. This initiative supports the Ministry of Digital’s aspiration to fill the gap in skilled cybersecurity professionals by offering courses based on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)," he added.
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Issued by:
Office of the Minister of Digital
Ministry of Digital
