I was quoted by FreeMalaysiaToday regarding the collection of data by the Government through from people using official mobile application aimed at efforts to curb Covid-19. I said-
A lawyer specialising in privacy laws has urged the government to regulate the collection of data from people using official apps for mobile phones aimed at efforts to curb Covid-19.
Putrajaya should review existing laws on data collection, and should set out the steps taken to protect private information provided by users, says lawyer Foong Cheng Leong.
It was necessary to make sure that the information is used only to deal with infectious diseases “and not for other purposes like political campaigning or police investigations for other crimes,” he said.
Punishments should be set out for those who misuse the data, and there should be provisions to guarantee redress for those harmed by the abuse of the data.
Yesterday the health minister launched the MySejahtera app which allows users to perform health self-assessments, monitor their health and enables the health ministry to also monitor the user’s health.
Two other apps, to trace contacts of infected people, are also being developed separately.
Foong said public health and safety should take precedence during a pandemic. However, there was a need to review existing laws to regulate data collection.
“Any laws passed should take into account the rights of the data subject,” he said.
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