Latest news with #MalaysiaCyberConsumerAssociation
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Clearer path to justice for doxxing victims
PETALING JAYA: The inclusion of doxxing, defined as the act of distributing someone's personal information without their consent, into Malaysia's criminal code marks a turning point in protecting victims targeted for online notoriety, say experts. The amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, aimed at addressing both physical and cyberbullying, came into effect yesterday. With this, doxxing is now officially classified as a serious crime punishable by up to three years' imprisonment. New provisions under Sections 507B to 507G have been introduced, providing for proportionate penalties for offences involving threats, insults or defamatory communication that cause emotional distress or fear. Association of Women Lawyers president Jasmine Wong welcomed the explicit criminalisation of doxxing under Section 507E, noting the significance of the law in tackling online abuse, especially against women and girls, who are disproportionately affected. 'Victims will finally have a clearer path to seek redress, but without strong enforcement, platform accountability and survivor-protection mechanisms, the impact may remain limited. 'We urge these laws to be implemented transparently and fairly with safeguards to prevent misuse. 'The criminalisation of doxxing is a positive development, but meaningful protection for women requires more than punishment; it requires a broader system of accountability, education and care,' she said. While applauding the overdue recognition of digital harm, Wong cautioned against the broad language in the amendments, which could be open to abuse if not carefully applied. 'There's a real risk these provisions could be misused to silence legitimate expression, dissent or criticism, particularly by those in power,' she warned. 'Sections 507B to 507E, though well-intentioned, use broad and subjective terms such as 'insulting' or 'distress', which risk being weaponised to suppress criticism or unpopular speech.' Wong also highlighted the lack of focus on restorative justice, survivor support and platform owner accountability. Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association president Siraj Jalil said the formal criminalisation of doxxing sends a clear message that such behaviour carries consequences and gives victims a legal path to seek justice. However, he said the government also has a responsibility to educate people on these laws and what constitutes bullying. Parent Action Group for Education chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said with the legal framework now in place, several steps can be taken effectively, including promoting digital citizenship programmes and establishing a support system for victims. 'The new law is not just a tool for punishment, but a foundation for a safer, more respectful digital environment. 'For students, it offers protection; for educators and institutions, it is a call to act with greater accountability. 'Moving forward, collaboration between educators, parents, students and legal authorities is key to making the Internet a safer space for all,' she said. The Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025 and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 2025 were passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 10, 2024, and in the Dewan Negara on Dec 16, 2024.
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.
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
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Riding the tech trade tide
In a video posted to his Facebook page on April 17, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said it is not impossible that an iPhone could end up costing as much as a car, given the impending US tariffs. This comes as the world waits with bated breath over US President Donald Trump's flip-flopping on tariffs, at one point imposing a 145% import tax on Chinese goods entering the United States before walking it back during a White House press event on April 23. On the other hand, Malaysia was hit with a 24% tariff on April 9, with a 90-day suspension period, alongside an additional 3,521% tariff on solar imports, which also impacts three other South-East Asian nations. Highlighting the need for fair international trade, Tengku Zafrul gave the example of how even a simple dish like nasi lemak relies on an interconnected supply chain, with rice from Tanjung Karang, chilli from Negeri Sembilan, coconut from Bagan Datuk, and anchovies from Labuan. 'To make a pack of nasi lemak, the ingredients don't just come from the garden next door, but from all over the place. That is just a simple example. Now imagine a complex product like an iPhone, with components that come from all over the world. 'A chip from Taiwan, screen from Korea, battery from China, modem and memory from the United States, storage from Japan, camera from multiple countries, and finally assembled in China.' Tengku Zafrul further predicted that the tariffs could cause the cost of an iPhone to triple due to the rising costs of components in the global supply chain, and potentially even go up by as much as seven times if the phones were to be manufactured entirely in the US. He also added that when prices rise in the US, other countries would also feel the impact, as global prices for items like iPhones are typically based on their pricing in the American market. Rising concern Some local tech enthusiasts have been concerned about how the tariffs would impact prices since Trump won the US presidential elections back in November last year. For Penang-based Foo Ce Xiang, this uncertainty was the main reason why he pulled the trigger on buying a new computer. 'I remember back when Covid-19 and the cryptocurrency boom hit in 2020, prices spiked up for computer parts, especially when it came to graphics cards. 'At the time, prices were so inflated that I just opted to skip upgrading entirely, so I was not going to take any chances this time, even though I'm not sure about how things will pan out,' he said. Foo further added that if not for that, he would have waited for the next generation of hardware to release before making his purchase. Siraj advises that Malaysians practise making informed purchases, avoid panicking, and put more thought towards assessing their needs before jumping to make a purchase. — SIRAJ JALIL Meanwhile Siraj Jalil, president of the Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA), said that he has not received any official reports of panic buying just yet, but warned that Malaysians should still be concerned. 'Tariffs are like a stone thrown into a pond which the ripples reach far and wide. These disruptions in the global supply chain can drive up production and logistics costs, eventually burdening end consumers, particularly in import-dependent countries like Malaysia. 'Companies may take defensive measures, either absorbing part of the cost or passing it onto consumers. Local businesses might see an opportunity to fill the gap with more affordable, locally-made alternatives, but this depends on our ecosystem's ability to compete in terms of quality and pricing,' he said. Aside from potentially higher prices, Siraj warned that some products may see reduced availability in the country due to them being pulled from the local market if profit margins no longer justify distribution. Dr Arumugam G. Sithamparam, a senior lecturer at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation's (APU) School of Marketing and Management, similarly said that tariffs are likely to make tech products more expensive for consumers. 'If the proposed tariffs are implemented,' he said, 'Malaysian consumers are expected to bear the brunt of increased prices for technology products such as smartphones', and various other devices. Arumugam serves as a referral expert to the 15th Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Finance and Economy (JKPKKE) after being appointed in November 2023. Ripple effects Arumugam further pointed out that certain categories of tech products are more likely to be hit harder than others, which include electric vehicles, devices used for virtual reality and augmented reality, and wearables. Arumugam says that the costs incurred to companies by US tariffs may be passed on to consumers around the globe, including Malaysia. — APU Similarly affected would be products such as TVs, gaming consoles, and smart home appliances, which require sophisticated components. He further predicted that this may even result in supply shortages and delays in and out of Malaysia, with the heavy reliance on semiconductors as a key component in products like smartphones, laptops, and automotive technologies. As quite a few major US-based semiconductor manufacturers are operating in Malaysia, any delays in their supply chains may hinder timely deliveries to both local and global markets, he said. He noted that the Malaysian tech sector plays a big role in the nation's exports, with delays harming both the domestic supply and international obligations. Arumugam added that for tech products, which people usually see as optional rather than essential, higher prices often lead to fewer purchases because people are less likely to buy when prices go up. From the perspective of Dr Sunny Ooi, president of Internet Alliance Malaysia, a non-profit industry group, consumers should expect pricing for both products and services to be gradually revised upwards from Q2 2025 into the second half of 2025. 'We foresee these tariffs exercised by the US will affect the entire world and be industry-wide. 'Perhaps, the quantum of the exact impact will become more apparent in coming months once the costing is more affirmed at the top of the supply chain. 'For that, it is almost ascertained that the cost will surely pass on to consumers worldwide, including Malaysian consumers,' he said. Ooi believes consumers should expect pricing for both products and services to be gradually revised upwards from Q2 2025 into the second half of 2025. — SUNNY OOI According to Ooi, there has already been an indication of price revisions from some brands in anticipation of the tariff impact, largely due to rising material costs in affected countries where products are sourced or manufactured. He added that additional cost pressures are also coming from indirect expenses, such as transportation and related services, as global economic realignments take effect. Ooi also anticipates price revisions in the coming months for companies to match their financial budgets while balancing the market supply-demand needs. This was echoed in a report from dpa in mid-April, which said that Sony confirmed that it would be raising the price of some PlayStation 5 models in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and New Zealand by about 25%, citing 'challenging' economic conditions. Similarly in early May, Microsoft increased prices for its Xbox Series S and Series X consoles, controllers, and games by over 20% worldwide. The tech giant cited 'market conditions and the rising cost of development' for the hike. Analysts in the report also said that similar announcements could be looming from other companies due to the turbulent tariff landscape. On a more hopeful note Meanwhile, the World Innovation, Technology and Services Alliance (Witsa) chairman, Datuk Dr Sean Seah, recognises the potential impact of the US tariffs on the local consumer technology market, but believes that Malaysia remains well-positioned to navigate these changes effectively despite the challenges for both businesses and consumers. Seah believes that Malaysia has cultivated strong trade relationships and a robust supply chain ecosystem that can mitigate immediate disruptions. — SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star 'Malaysia has cultivated strong trade relationships and a robust supply chain ecosystem that can mitigate immediate disruptions. 'While tariff implications may contribute to cost adjustments, particularly in the countries faced with importing tech goods with elevated tariffs, this is not the case here, and market conditions suggest that widespread panic buying is unlikely. 'I understand retailers and industry players are actively implementing strategies to ensure stability, including diversifying supplier networks and managing inventory efficiently,' he said. He added that circumstances moving forward are very much dependent on the following moves by key players in global trade negotiations, and that 'Malaysia's position as a strategic hub for technology manufacturing and exports remains strong, and ongoing diplomatic engagements will be crucial in shaping future trade policies'. Coping mechanisms Siraj advises that Malaysians practise making informed purchases, avoid panicking, and put more thought towards assessing their needs before jumping to make a purchase. 'If possible, delay non-essential buying and seek expert or consumer body advice. In challenging times, information is power and well-informed consumers are protected consumers. 'This situation also opens up opportunities for innovation in refurbished tech products and encourages greater awareness of sustainable digital consumption,' he said. Meanwhile, Ooi said that consumers will likely start turning to alternative brands and suppliers less affected by the tariffs for tech products in the event of price hikes. Arumugam similarly advised that consumers consider less popular but equally effective brands to save money and avoid unnecessary upgrades driven by social pressures. 'Prioritise upgrading essential devices, including work-related laptops or smartphones, while putting off non-essential purchases, like gaming hardware. 'Users should be mindful of making impulsive buys and prioritise their genuine requirements,' he said. Some local tech enthusiasts have been concerned about how the tariffs would impact prices since Trump won the US presidential elections back in November last year. — Image by freepik He further recommended that consumers practise comparing prices between retailers and take advantage of discounts and cashbacks to deal with higher tech costs. On the right timing to make a tech purchase, Arumugam said that it will depend on individual needs, financial circumstances, and market conditions. 'Further price increases for certain products are likely as a result of impending tariffs and potential disruptions due to mineral shortages or supply chain problems. 'If a need arises for a specific device for work, education, or daily life, buying early is a wise decision,' he says, especially since delays in product availability due to component shortages are possible. 'Popular devices like smartphones, laptops, or gaming hardware may sell out quickly during shortages. If current prices are reasonable and promotions are available, it might be a good time to make the purchase. It is difficult to predict when prices will normalise,' he says. However, he also notes that patient consumers willing to wait for the market to stabilise will likely be rewarded with enhanced technology and lower prices. 'It is likely that when global supply chain issues stabilise, prices could decrease as production catches up with demand,' he said, further advising that consumers should monitor the market and set a price threshold to decide the best time to buy. Rising tech prices may also push some consumers, particularly from lower and middle-income groups, towards opting for older models or second-hand devices. Arumugam added that these items, notably smartphones, 'are gaining popularity among individual consumers due to their lower cost relative to brand new products.' 'New device prices have risen due to global supply chain disruptions or higher material costs, rendering newer models inaccessible to some consumers. 'Buying second-hand items can be a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly choice,' he said.
