Excerpt from The Sun Article, Published on August 25, 2025
Malaysia’s proposed anti-bullying portal must prioritize data protection to safeguard children’s privacy and safety, according to Dr. Sonny Zulhuda, a cyber law expert from the International Islamic University Malaysia. He highlights that children cannot be expected to manage their own privacy or security online, as threats in cyberspace are often intangible and complex. Hence, the responsibility for protecting children’s data should rest with parents, the government, and industry stakeholders.
Dr. Sonny emphasizes that the portal must be designed with privacy-by-default principles to ensure it remains data protection-strict and children-oriented. The interface should be simple, friendly, and accessible, enabling even younger children and those from rural areas to use it easily. Additionally, features that clearly communicate the portal’s benefits and encourage adult supervision are essential for effectiveness.
Legally, Dr. Sonny points out the challenges since the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) does not apply to government entities, though its principles remain vital. Children’s consent for data processing is a complex issue since minors may not fully understand the consequences. If a non-government entity operates the portal, PDPA mandates strict privacy notices, consent mechanisms, data minimization, and security safeguards.
To reduce risks, safeguards like mandatory adult accompaniment and regular privacy risk assessments are necessary. The portal must also implement multi-layered evaluation systems to prevent misuse from false or malicious complaints, ensuring that children’s data is corroborated with additional evidence.
Strong data protection measures will ultimately determine the portal’s success in providing a safe platform for vulnerable children to report bullying without fear of privacy breaches or further harm.
To delve deeper into this topic, visit the The Sun article.
