KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian government’s request for mobile phone call data is intended solely to support evidence-based policymaking and does not involve the collection of any personal information, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said.
Speaking at an Aidiladha event here today, Fahmi said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had sought anonymised data from telecommunications companies to help the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) generate official statistics, particularly to improve network infrastructure and digital inclusion.
“The purpose is to collect data for DOSM’s official statistics. It does not contain any personal information but focuses on trends to enable us to gather more detailed information about quality, engagement levels and the number of users in specific mukims or districts,” he said, Bernama reported.
“Currently, much of the information about the telecommunications sector remains too general,” he added, noting that the more granular data would allow the government to better understand public needs and bridge the digital divide.
Fahmi said the initiative, which also includes a shift towards measuring Coverage of Populated Areas (COPA), was developed through a series of workshops held since 2023 involving DOSM, MCMC, and mobile network operators.
“Only anonymised data, processed as thoroughly as possible by the telecommunications companies themselves, will be provided,” he said. “There are no issues here. Discussions have been ongoing for some time, and this was a mutual agreement.”
His remarks come amid public concern following a South China Morning Post report that MCMC had directed telcos to submit data on all mobile phone calls made between January and March.
MCMC clarified last Friday that the data in question does not include names or any identifiers that could trace information back to individuals.
Telco providers have also moved to reassure users. U Mobile Sdn Bhd said in a statement that customer data and privacy are its top priority, adding that any mobile phone data (MPD) shared with MCMC is anonymised, aggregated and in full compliance with data protection laws.
“We are aware of the objectives of the initiative and are committed to working with MCMC in a manner that upholds the highest standards of data governance,” it said, stressing that no personally identifiable information is ever shared or processed.
Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) echoed the sentiment, stating that its data submission is carried out under strict governance and security protocols.
“TM remains fully committed to safeguarding the safety and privacy of customer data with responsibility and integrity,” the company said.
MCMC has maintained that MPD is used strictly for the generation of official statistics in the ICT and tourism sectors and that the process does not involve access to, or disclosure of, any individual user data. — June 8, 2025