Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Data of 22.5M Malaysians born 1940-2004 ‘sold for $10K’

Data of 22.5M Malaysians born 1940-2004 ‘sold for $10K’

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
In both incidents, it was claimed that the data was syphoned from the NRD through the My Identity API. AFP

Data of 22.5M Malaysians born 1940-2004 ‘sold for $10K’

An alleged data leak containing the information of 22.5 million Malaysians born between 1940 and 2004, purportedly stolen from the National Registration Department (NRD), has once again put the country’s data security measures in the spotlight.

Local tech portal Amanz reported that the database, 160GB in size, is being sold for $10,000 on the dark web.

In the screenshot shared by the portal, the seller claimed that this is an expanded database compared to the one he sold in September last year, which was only up to 1998.

In both incidents, it was claimed that the data was siphoned from the NRD through the MyIdentity API (application programming interface). MyIdentity is a centralised data-sharing platform that is used by various government agencies.

Malaysia’s Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin on Wednesday said the alleged data leak did not come from the NRD, but from “several agencies which we have given some leeway for them to obtain information from us”.

He did not name those agencies, or how many agencies had access to MyIdentity data.

Hamzah told reporters after attending an event that there was a mechanism in place which could prove that the leaked information did not come from the NRD.

“Previously, there was a similar allegation but we have managed to prove that the leak was not from the NRD.

“It was from several agencies which we have given some leeway for them to obtain information from us,” he said.

When the first data leak occurred was discovered in September, it allegedly involved the NRD database of people born between 1979 and 1998, and was being sold for 0.2 BTC ($8,000).

But Datuk Seri Hamzah said then: “Don’t worry about data held by NRD. Our firewall is quite strong.”

He said then that all government agencies using the MyIdentity system had been instructed to implement stricter safety measures.

On Wednesday, lawyer Foong Cheng Leong said the lack of transparency on investigations related to data leaks in Malaysia has been frustrating.

“There needs to be an account of how the matter is being investigated and what steps are being taken to ensure that the data is secure.

“The information could serve as a deterrent to others and show that there will be consequences for those leaking private information,” he said in a phone interview.

Mr Foong urged fresh investigations to be conducted by the relevant agencies, including the Department of Personal Data Protection (JPDP) to discover if the leak was genuine.

When contacted, JPDP declined to comment at this point.

Mr Foong said the data from the alleged leak could be used by scammers to dupe victims.

“For example, they could pose as an authority figure and present information such as your MyKad number or address to gain your trust.

“They will use this to convince you to give out more details or perform financial transactions,” he said.

When contacted, CyberSecurity Malaysia declined to comment, stating that the matter is under the jurisdiction of JPDP.

And the NRD has yet to respond to requests for information.

THE STAR (MALAYSIA)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

MOST VIEWED

  • Girl from Stung Meanchey dump now college grad living in Australia

    After finishing her foundational studies at Trinity College and earning a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Melbourne in 2022, Ron Sophy, a girl who once lived at the Stung Meanchey garbage dump and scavenged for things to sell, is now working at a private

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Wat Phnom hornbills attract tourists, locals

    Thanks to the arrival of a friendly flock of great hornbills, Hour Rithy, a former aviculturist – or raiser of birds – in Kratie province turned Phnom Penh tuk tuk driver, has seen a partial return to his former profession. He has become something of a guide

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while