PETALING JAYA: Amendments to the nation’s outdated cyberlaws are long overdue as they are necessary to keep pace with current technological advancements, says cybersecurity and multimedia law expert Derek Fernandez.
“The amendments are needed to meet the level of sophistication of threats, scams, bullying, child exploitation, and the use of deepfakes in online crimes, among others,” said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission commissioner.
He said while the government’s adoption of digitalisation has brought numerous benefits, it has also led to some drawbacks, with cybercrime flourishing in recent years, adding that it was important for the government to craft robust laws to protect consumers from crime.
“I come from a perspective that it is the government’s duty to protect its citizens from domestic and foreign threats,” said Fernandez.
He said the emergence of artificial intelligence and deepfake videos has made it easier for bad actors to deceive victims and even incite harm.
“Those who know how to exploit this technology can convince unsuspecting individuals that they are someone they are not, and influence them to do certain things,” he warned.
Content Forum chief executive officer Mediha Mahmood said the proposed amendments appear to target several pressing issues in the digital landscape.
“It continues to be crucial for policymakers, industry players and civil society to collaborate to ensure the regulatory framework remains adaptable to evolving technologies and emerging challenges,” she said.
She said alongside legal amendments, a strong self-regulation framework informed by input from diverse stakeholders will further strengthen our ability to address online harms effectively.
“The shared goal is to have a digital ecosystem that fosters innovation and creativity whilst keeping users safe from harm,” said Mediha.
Lawyer Foong Cheng Leong said the CMA can be further improved by including a provision to cover an individual’s right to request the blocking of unlawful websites selling counterfeit products and disseminating fake news. He argued that provisions to combat unsolicited electronic messages under Section 233A are still inadequate.
“If it is to fight spam and scams, it should be drafted differently, with more details and provisions. Currently, it is a single section without much detail,” said Foong.
