Cabinet OK's amending Personal Data Protection Act to curb a...

KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 -- The Cabinet has approved proposed amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709) that are expected to be tabled in the current parliamentary meeting. In a statement, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the amendments were necessary to ensure Malaysia's data protection laws kept abreast with global standards and developments. Gobind also said there was a worrying trend of complaints reaching the Office of the Personal Data Protection Commissioner. "The proposed amendments aim to enhance policies, particularly in terms of security and enforcement, to address issues of personal data breaches and misuse in Malaysia," he said. The proposals include making it mandatory for data users (entities processing personal data for commercial transactions) to declare personal data breaches, with non-compliance punishable by fines of up to RM250,000 or impris...