Latest news with #MCCA
The Star
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Ratings, reviews and riddles: What's the deal with online reviews?
One of the first things that online shoppers usually search for when looking to buy something is user reviews. Rows upon rows of stars, scores, and ratings that are meant to guide and inform each and every purchase can in reality turn out to be far less useful than hoped for these days. From Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) deputy president Azrul Zafri Azmi's perspective, reviews remain very relevant to Malaysian consumers, especially when it comes to things like ordering from e-commerce platforms or deciding on where to eat. According to him, studies have shown that 71% of Malaysians take reviews into account before making an online purchase. However, he says that there are still some clear underlying issues when it comes to online reviews in Malaysia. 'The challenge now is not access to reviews, but how authentic and reliable they are. 'Honestly, trust has dropped a bit in recent years. Some consumers have started to question reviews that sound too generic or too perfect. 'We're seeing more fake reviews, incentivised ones, and even copy-pasted feedback across listings. These trends make it harder for genuine reviews to stand out,' Azrul Zafri says. Tainted trust This rings true for KL-based auditor Lee Xien Wen, an avid online shopper who says he has encountered everything from irrelevant and unhelpful reviews to ones he suspects are outright fake. 'Some of the reviews would say things like, 'Looks pretty, haven't tried it yet', often repeated in different languages. 'It makes me think they're just trying to earn points or rewards, or could even be fake reviews generated by bots. 'If I see too many like that, I usually avoid the seller or brand altogether and look for a different option,' he says, adding that this has led him to prefer official seller pages for products rather than third parties' pages, and to look for user-posted product review videos that appear to be more genuine. From Azrul Zafri's point of view, reviews being left on e-commerce platforms solely to obtain rewards, without any helpful information for other potential buyers, undermine the purpose of reviews entirely. From Azrul Zafri's point of view, reviews being left on e-commerce platforms solely to obtain rewards, without any helpful information for other potential buyers, undermine the purpose of reviews entirely. — AZRUL ZAFRI AZMI 'This is a big issue. It's unethical, and more importantly, it misleads others. Some platforms give coins or points for every review, which unintentionally encourages this behaviour. 'When users rate a product they haven't even tried, it defeats the whole purpose of helping other consumers make better choices,' he says. According to Azrul Zafri, those leaving such reviews may not fully understand the impact of what they are doing, which in the long run 'damages the system that all of us rely on – and genuine buyers end up getting misled', he adds. An April 2025 statement from the Mufti of Federal Territory's Office (FT Mufti) similarly states that leaving false reviews or ratings for products purchased on e-commerce platforms without using them or examining their quality is an act of deception, which is prohibited or 'haram'. The FT Mufti further states that any rewards obtained through disingenuous reviews are also considered 'haram' and should be left unused until their expiry. Azrul Zafri further notes that there are also restaurants that offer discounts or free items in exchange for five-star ratings on platforms like Google, which he believes is problematic. 'I think encouraging reviews is fine – but when businesses tie rewards specifically to five-star ratings, it becomes manipulative. 'It's no longer about feedback; it's about boosting ratings unfairly. It also puts pressure on customers to give high scores, whether they mean it or not,' he says. Confusing mix Concerns have also been raised about e-commerce platform features that aggregate reviews on similar items within the same product category from other listings across the site. Azrul Zafri says that the aggregated reviews might not even refer to the exact same product, potentially misleading buyers. 'When reviews from different sellers or product variants are lumped together, consumers may think they're looking at feedback for the exact item they're buying – when they're not. 'That creates confusion, especially if one seller has poor service or quality,' he says. Shoppers like Lee point out that reviews from other sellers are not indicative of how responsive or reliable a specific seller may be, while sellers like Fithry Akbar Ali feel that the feature is unfair, as it took them years to build a strong reputation, with newer sellers benefiting from the pool of existing reviews that they did not earn. Fithry Akbar operates an online shop primarily centred around video games. 'I've encountered new competitors who just started selling similar products as myself and others, but noticed their product has over 500 reviews, despite it being a new listing. 'It completely kills off years and years of reviews built by original sellers. Buyers would then simply buy from these new sellers, thinking their product is trustworthy and reliable due to the high ratings,' he says. He also highlights the possibility of counterfeit product listings being associated with real ones due to being furnished with aggregated reviews, which could further mislead consumers into buying fake products. Fake reviews have become a significant concern across e-commerce platforms, especially overseas, according to various reports. — Image by freepik In a statement to LifestyleTech, a Shopee spokesperson addressed these concerns, stating that the intended purpose of such aggregated reviews is to provide assistance to new sellers and product listings. 'This feature only lasts for seven calendar days from the time of a new listing creation, after which sellers will have to rely on themselves to get good reviews. 'All such reviews are clearly marked within the app as 'Similar Product'. These Similar Product Reviews provide helpful product context for newer listings, but they do not replace the seller's effort in earning buyer trust,' it says. The e-commerce platform adds that it is not a replacement for other metrics such as store ratings, fulfilment speed, and chat responsiveness, which individual shops must still earn independently. 'Through this feature, we aim to promote fairer competition on the platform, prioritising quality, value, and service instead of legacy seller reputation alone. 'New or smaller sellers with strong offerings benefit from a level playing field, while buyers enjoy a broader range of trusted options. 'Building consumer trust and providing fair opportunities for sellers remain top priorities for Shopee,' it says. Filtering fakes The platforms themselves say that they have mechanisms in place to ensure that reviews left by customers are authentic. For instance, Lazada says in a statement to LifestyleTech that it uses 'AI (artificial intelligence) to guide users in writing more informative reviews, prompting them to comment on key aspects such as durability, design, and functionality. 'To encourage authentic user-generated content, Lazada offers LazCoins as incentives – with the highest coin rewards granted only to reviews that meet minimum word counts and include supporting visuals like photos or videos. 'We continuously moderate our review platform and take proactive steps to reduce unhelpful or suspicious reviews,' it says. The e-commerce platform adds that it also uses AI and performs manual checks of reviews to detect 'inauthentic patterns' and flags certain high-quality ones as 'Quality Reviews'. Meanwhile, the Shopee spokesperson says only customers who have actually purchased a product are able to leave reviews. 'Shopee takes a serious view of fake ratings or reviews. Under Shopee's Terms of Service, sellers must not take any action that undermines Shopee's feedback or rating system. 'Users found to be engaging in manipulative activities will face a range of penalties, including having their accounts frozen or being permanently banned on our platform. 'Consumers who are concerned they may have bought products based on fake ratings and reviews can report such products to Shopee for our investigations. They may also raise a Return/Refund request to get a refund for their purchase,' the spokesperson says. Both platforms allow users to further indicate if specific reviews are 'helpful' to boost their visibility to others as well. While Azrul Zafri acknowledges the efforts being made by the platforms, he says that more can still be done. 'Platforms need better filters for fake or copy-paste reviews, and they should educate users more clearly on review ethics,' he adds. Fake reviews have become a significant concern across e-commerce platforms, especially overseas, according to various reports. Most recently, the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) obtained a formal commitment from Amazon earlier this month to address fake reviews and 'catalogue abuse', which is a practice where sellers repurpose existing product listings to sell unrelated or lower-quality items by misleading consumers, following a four-year probe. This commitment comes in the form of faster detection systems, prompt removal of fraudulent reviews, and imposing bans on offending sellers and reviewers. Travel planning and booking platform, TripAdvisor, similarly reported a slew of fake reviews on its website in 2024. Based on figures from the website's 'Transparency Report 2025', 8% of the 31.1 million reviews it received that year were fake. This includes manipulative reviews meant to 'boost' a location or business's reputation, vandalism from a competitor, promotions of unrelated services or agendas, and paid reviews. Quest for quality Azrul Zafri advises that Malaysians treat reviews as a starting point and to be savvier consumers by looking beyond surface-level star ratings. He also recommends that shoppers be wary of overly generic comments and to try to find more detailed feedback instead. 'Reviews help, but they're not the full story. These days, I always tell people: don't just stop at star ratings. Take a bit of time to really get to know what you're buying. 'First, it's good to check the same product across different platforms – Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop – because sometimes the listings look the same but the sellers or the prices are very different. If it looks too cheap to be true, chances are... it probably is. 'Also, I personally like to watch quick (video) reviews. Even a short video can show how the item looks, how it's used, or what people honestly think about it – that's often more helpful than a wall of copy-paste reviews. 'Another good tip is to read comments in Facebook groups or forums. Malaysians are quite active online, and you'll often find people sharing real experiences – both good and bad – especially when a product disappoints or doesn't match expectations. 'Spend a few extra minutes doing a quick check, and it can save you from a lot of regret later,' he says. Azrul Zafri also believes that some form of light regulation by the Malaysian government would be helpful in facilitating a better e-commerce environment for local consumers. This would serve not to police opinions, but instead to ensure transparency. He suggests introducing a code of conduct for platforms to clearly define what is permitted, what isn't, and how to handle cases of abuse. He adds that ideally, this should be developed with input from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, relevant ministries, and civil society. 'Just like we've done with cybersecurity and online scams, we need to promote digital literacy and ethics – especially among students and young adults. 'I think it should be a joint effort between government, NGOs like MCCA, schools, and even the platforms themselves,' he says.
Sinar Daily
17-06-2025
- Sinar Daily
Dark corners of the web: How CSAM is putting children at risk
SHAH ALAM – The ever-advancing digital world has created new opportunities for learning and connection, but it has also created vast new risks for children, including the disturbing circulation of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). CSAM refers to any form of content — images, videos, illustrations, or digitally manipulated visuals — that depicts the sexual abuse of children. These materials are now being generated and spread with alarming sophistication, including through artificial intelligence (AI) and digitally manipulated images. According to Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil, the CSAM threat is no longer confined to dark, hidden corners of the web — it has infiltrated everyday digital spaces including gaming apps and social media. 'CSAM is not a foreign issue. It happens here, inside the phones and computers of our children. Society's silence only gives predators more room to operate,' Siraj said. He stressed that those who possess, distribute or create CSAM can face severe legal consequences, including up to 30 years' imprisonment under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. Meanwhile, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 outlines penalties for distributing immoral content, including a RM50,000 fine or up to a year in prison. Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president, Siraj Jalil A key tactic used by online predators is grooming — where trust is gradually built with a child before abuse is perpetrated. 'There have been cases where primary school pupils were contacted through online games and asked to send indecent photos. Without parental supervision, these crimes can easily happen,' he warned. Siraj urged early exposure to digital safety for children stressing, 'Our children must be digitally literate and able to distinguish between safe and dangerous situations.' Parental Involvement Still Lacking Former SK Serting Ilir Parent-Teacher-Association (PIBG) president, Nurulazma Shafiqah Khairul Azhar, added that many parents still think the threat of CSAM happens only in foreign countries or through abduction. Former SK Serting Ilir Parent-Teacher-Association (PIBG) president, Nurulazma Shafiqah Khairul Azhar 'In reality, it can happen right in their own homes. Once a child uploads a photo on social media without supervision, the risk already exists,' she said. Nurulazma observed that digital safety issues are rarely discussed at PIBG meetings, which often focus more on academics or discipline. As a solution, she proposed that schools and PIBGs form Digital Safety Units to establish guidelines and awareness campaigns. 'Teachers also need training to identify signs of digital exploitation among pupils,' she said, while also urging government efforts to be 'straightforward and accessible' to ensure that the message of digital safety reaches all layers of society. CSAM Leads to Trauma Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) senior lecturer, Dr Nurhafizah Mohd Sukor, emphasised that exposure to CSAM causes deep emotional trauma, both in the short and long term. 'Children may feel ashamed, afraid, panicked and lose trust in others. If left untreated, these emotional wounds can persist into adulthood,' she explained. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) senior lecturer, Dr Nurhafizah Mohd Sukor Common warning signs include behavioural changes, sleep disturbances, withdrawal from social activities, and even irritability. Victims might also panic when encountering elements that resemble their abuser's actions. 'In the long run, these emotional scars can result in trauma where children experience flashbacks of the abuser's behaviour,' she warned. Dr Nurhafizah strongly advised that parents maintain open communication, provide emotional support, and seek professional help if trauma symptoms emerge in their children. Understanding the Hidden Landscape of CSAM Further elaborating on the disturbing reality of CSAM, criminologist and senior lecturer Shankar Durairaja from the School of Criminal Justice & Psychology, Enforcement, Leadership, and Management University (ELMU) explained that CSAM has evolved beyond traditional forms. 'CSAM includes images, videos, texts and drawings. It can also extend to animations, CGI, AI-generated content and comics, depending on the type of representation and the legal definitions within a jurisdiction. The most common forms of CSAM are images and videos,' he said. 'Perpetrators distribute such materials mainly online via the internet, using platforms such as social media, online forums, streaming services, encrypted emails, secure file transfer systems, the dark web, gaming platforms, or offline means such as USB drives, CDs, DVDs and memory cards.' He also highlighted that offenders increasingly use encryption techniques and anonymous networks to conceal their identities, accumulated collections, CSAM activities, and communication with minors. Who Are the Most Vulnerable Children? Children from dysfunctional families, or those experiencing emotional neglect, trauma, or financial hardship, are at greater risk of being targeted, according to Shankar. 'A dysfunctional family environment can lead to children not receiving enough attention and care at home, leading them to seek affection, validation and connection from outsiders, particularly through online platforms,' he said. Children desperate for attention, or those enticed by false promises of financial rewards, often fall prey to predators. 'In some cases, perpetrators lure these children with false promises of money or gifts in return for explicit content, only to deceive or manipulate them later,' he added. Shankar observed a rising and worrying trend of high-risk online behaviours among children, including sending inappropriate messages and flashing. 'This behaviour is evidence of children's low digital literacy,' he said, calling for immediate intervention in educating both parents and children on online dangers. Once a child uploads a photo on social media without supervision, the risk already exists. Photo: Canva Strengthening Laws and Enforcement On the legal front, Shankar pointed to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which criminalises the making, production, distribution, or possession of CSAM under Sections 4, 5, and 6. The Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998, meanwhile, enables the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to enforce penalties on those who distribute obscene material online. 'At the moment, the government has revised the CMA Act and introduced an Online Safety Act to protect children not only from CSAM but from all inappropriate content,' he said. The Emotional Fallout: Families in Crisis The psychological impact of CSAM is devastating for both victims and their families. 'Victims of CSAM can experience chronic trauma that can lead to severe mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety and depression. These psychological effects not only disrupt the victim's life but also have a profound impact on the family,' said Shankar. Many victims suffer from self-blame and guilt, potentially leading to self-harm or even suicidal thoughts. 'Feelings of humiliation, fear and shame can lead to public stigmatisation or cause victims to isolate themselves from family and society,' he warned. The families of victims may experience emotional stress, anger, guilt, fear and helplessness. In some extreme cases, they may even relocate to protect the child's privacy, leading to financial strain. A common tactic used by predators is 'grooming', where trust is gradually built before the act of child exploitation. Building a National Defence: The Safe Internet Campaign (KIS) To reinforce preventive measures, the government has introduced the Safe Internet Campaign (Kempen Internet Selamat, KIS), spearheaded by the Communications Ministry and the MCMC. KIS targets primary school children, university students, teachers, parents, senior citizens, and grassroots communities through talks, exhibitions, training, and interactive competitions. Its mission is to cultivate digital responsibility from an early age while empowering adults to guide children in navigating the online world. Among its flagship initiatives are the Interactive Internet Safety Module tailored for children under 13, special guides for teachers and parents, and creative competitions such as Choral Speaking and Menu Viral under the theme 'Semak Sebelum Sebar' (Verify Before Sharing). 'The campaign is being carried out in two phases from January 2025 until 2027, involving over 10,000 schools, universities, communities and Digital Economy Centres (NADI) nationwide,' Siraj shared. Core modules include lessons on digital literacy, recognising social media dangers, and understanding platform age restrictions. KIS also seeks to foster a safer digital ecosystem through close collaboration with schools, parent groups, NGOs, and grassroots communities. Siraj reminded that while government efforts are ramping up, community responsibility is equally critical. 'Ultimately, parents and caregivers are the frontline defenders. They must not ignore suspicious online behaviour involving children. Silence is complicity,' he stressed. The Way Forward: A Nationwide Commitment to Protection For Shankar, combating CSAM requires a four-pronged commitment: Strategic Law Enforcement 'Law enforcement must employ advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, computer vision, and hash algorithms to detect and stop CSAM distribution,' he said. Ongoing Education Prevention should begin in kindergarten and continue throughout a child's school life, focusing on digital literacy, safe internet practices, recognising grooming, and building digital resilience. Industry Engagement Companies involved in digital platforms must be held transparent and accountable. 'They must not hide behind false claims that they are acting in the best interests of millions of children,' Shankar stressed. Legislative Reforms New or revised laws should be constantly introduced to ensure adaptability in the face of evolving online threats. Ultimately, while initiatives like the Safe Internet Campaign (KIS) are commendable, protecting children from CSAM demands a nationwide commitment from law enforcement to classrooms, from regulators to parents at home.
Sinar Daily
16-06-2025
- Sinar Daily
Children at risk as digital threats rise with CSAM
SHAH ALAM – The ever-advancing digital world has created vast new risks for children, including the circulation of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). CSAM can be referred to any form of content, images, videos, illustrations, or digitally manipulated visuals, that depict the sexual abuse of children. According to Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil, the CSAM threat is now considerably more hidden and difficult to detect, as it spreads through various means including social media, gaming apps and covert platforms like the dark web. Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president, Siraj Jalil 'CSAM is not a foreign issue. It happens here, inside the phones and computers of our children. Society's silence only gives predators more room to operate,' he told Sinar. He further stated that those who possess, distribute or create CSAM can face severe legal consequences, including up to 30 years' imprisonment under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. Additionally, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 outlines penalties for distributing immoral content, including a RM50,000 fine or up to a year in prison. Notably, a common tactic used by predators is 'grooming', where trust is gradually built before the act of child exploitation. 'There have been cases where primary school pupils were contacted through online games and asked to send indecent photos. Without parental supervision, these crimes can easily happen. 'Early exposure to digital safety issues like CSAM is critical. Our children must be digitally literate and able to distinguish between safe and dangerous situations,' Siraj said. Thus, he urged parents, teachers and the community to report any suspicious behaviour to authorities or through platforms such as To reinforce this, the government launched the Safe Internet Campaign (KIS), an initiative spearheaded by the Communications Ministry and MCMC. KIS targets primary school children, university students, teachers, parents, senior citizens and the Madani community through talks, exhibitions, training and interactive competitions. He said that the campaign's main activities include the Interactive Internet Safety Module for children under 13, special guides for teachers and parents, and competitions like Choral Speaking and Menu Viral with the theme 'Semak Sebelum Sebar' (Verify Before Sharing). 'The campaign is being carried out in two phases from January 2025 until 2027, involving over 10,000 schools, universities, communities and Digital Economy Centres (NADI) nationwide. 'Key modules highlighted include digital literacy, social media dangers and platform age restrictions. 'KIS also aims to foster a safer digital ecosystem through collaboration with various stakeholders including teachers, parents, NGOs, and grassroots communities,' Siraj added. Alternatively, he reminded the public not to ignore their role and to take all suspicious behaviour involving children seriously. Parents remain unaware Former SK Serting Ilir PTA president Nurulazma Shafiqah Khairul Azhar, pointed out that many parents are unaware of this threat and believe it only occurs through abduction or in foreign countries. Former SK Serting Ilir PTA president, Nurulazma Shafiqah Khairul Azhar 'In reality, it can happen right in their own homes. Once a child uploads a photo on social media without supervision, the risk already exists,' she said. She noted that digital safety issues are rarely discussed at PTA meetings, which typically focus more on academics or discipline. As such, she proposed that schools and PTAs establish Digital Safety Units to draft guidelines and organise awareness campaigns for parents and students. 'Teachers also need training to identify signs of digital exploitation among pupils,' she said. She added further that government efforts must be supported with straightforward, accessible approaches to ensure the message of digital safety reaches all layers of society. CSAM leads to trauma Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) senior lecturer Dr Nurhafizah Mohd Sukor clarified that exposure to CSAM can cause deep emotional trauma both in the short and long term. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) senior lecturer, Dr Nurhafizah Mohd Sukor 'Children may feel ashamed, afraid, panicked and lose trust in others. If left untreated, these emotional wounds can persist into adulthood. 'Warning signs include behavioural changes, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, becoming withdrawn or increased irritability,' she said. Additionally, she noted that victims may panic when encountering elements resembling the abuser's actions or visuals. 'In the long run, these emotional scars can result in trauma where children experience flashbacks of the abuser's behaviour,' she warned. Ultimately, it is advised for parents to provide emotional support, maintain open communication, and seek professional help if their child exhibits trauma symptoms.
New Straits Times
14-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Secret online group sharing sexualised images of children, teens
KUALA LUMPUR: A clandestine social media group is reportedly collecting and sharing images of children and underage teenagers, sexualising them among members. More disturbingly, the group also possesses collections of images of underage teenagers in school uniforms, said Siraj Jalil, president of the Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA). Siraj, who recently exposed the group, said it had been operating for a considerable time. He added that membership is restricted to individuals identified as having similar "habits" and who are trusted by the administrators. "The group exists on several platforms, including mainstream social media and digital communication applications like Telegram." The group uses closed forums to exchange photos and videos of children, including those secretly recorded or uploaded without parental consent. Siraj said the photos of children in school uniforms were subjected to obscene and disgusting comments. He called for action against the group's administrators and urged social media platforms to detect, report, and block such groups. "We cannot wait until victims suffer physical abuse or become victims of these people's perverse acts. The collection and dissemination of these images themselves are a serious form of exploitation," he said. He also urged parents to be more vigilant about photos of their children shared online and to activate maximum privacy settings. "MCCA is ready to cooperate with enforcement agencies, including the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), to combat cybercrime activities targeting children." Late last year, the police and MCMC conducted a series of coordinated raids across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Terengganu, Penang, and Perak. The operation led to the arrest of 13 suspects and the seizure of 40,000 child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) and pornographic content from various devices.
The Star
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
‘Step up digital safety education'
JOHOR BARU: As artificial intelligence (AI) scams get more sophisticated, a cyber expert says it is time for cybersecurity and digital safety education in schools. Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj J alil (pic) said the government cannot afford to depend on short-term fixes to address the worsening situation. 'We have already amended outdated laws, such as the Communications and Multi-media Act. 'The Cybercrime Bill will be tabled in October and the Cyber Security Act was passed last year. 'We can no longer find short-term solutions. The Education Ministry must step up and introduce proper digital safety education in schools,' he said when contacted. Siraj said while awareness campaigns by Bank Negara and the authorities are important, they are not enough. 'There is a rush to raise awareness which is a good thing, but awareness alone will not protect us. We are still seeing dozens of scam cases every day,' he pointed out. Siraj said rapid development of AI technology makes it even more important for the authorities to act. 'Even criminals can now easily create their own language models, making it even harder to track them down,' he added. Siraj said the Digital Education Policy introduced in 2023 lacks the fundamental pillars of cybersecurity and safety. He suggested that the Education Ministry adopt the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (Unesco) Digital Literacy Framework, which includes safety and well-being as key pillars. 'If you teach digital safety properly, students will spread the word and this will be a great way to build awareness,' he added.
