MCMC says anonymised mobile phone data not classified as 'personal data'
MCMC deputy managing director Datuk Zurkarnain Mohd Yasin said this is because the data they received from mobile network operators (MNO) cannot be used to identify or trace individuals.
He said the eight data sets collected by MNO only include an anonymised identifier set by the operators, date and time of the transaction by transmitters, location of the transmission tower connected to the devices, type of network and country identifier.
Zurkarnain gave his assurance that they were in full compliance of Malaysian laws and international standards.
On Friday, MCMC clarified that its collection of mobile phone data from mobile network operators does not involve the access , processing or disclosure of any personally identifiable information.
MCMC said the mobile phone data will be used strictly to generate official statistics to support evidence-based policymaking in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector and the tourism sector.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, on Sunday, said MCMC is not seeking any personal data of users from telecommunications companies.
He said MCMC's recent request to telcos was for anonymised data to support evidence-based policymaking, including for network infrastructure improvements.
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