How the Personal Data Protection Act impacts the market research industry

AFTER much consultation and debate, the Malaysian Personal Data Protection (PDP) Act 2010 will be operational come Jan 1, 2013.

This Act, instituted to regulate the processing of personal data in commercial transactions, makes it illegal for commercial organisations to sell personal information or allow the use of such data by third parties. Infringement of this law is serious, as the potential fine could be as much as RM100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to a year.