KUALA LUMPUR – Age verification utilizing the MyKad national identity card is already an established and standard practice across various sectors in Malaysia, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Addressing concerns regarding the implementation of age verification mechanisms for digital platforms, Fahmi emphasized that the system is not a novel concept for Malaysians. He pointed out that the integration of MyKad for identity and age confirmation is already widely utilized in everyday transactions, particularly within the telecommunications sector for SIM card registration, as well as in financial services and e-wallet activations.
The minister’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions about enhancing online safety, particularly for minors on social media and internet messaging platforms. Regulatory bodies have been exploring stricter age verification methods to prevent children under the age of 13 from accessing restricted online spaces.
Fahmi reassured the public that the infrastructure for MyKad-based verification is secure and mature, serving as a reliable tool to ensure compliance with national regulations. He added that any implementation of these verification systems by digital platforms would be bound by strict data protection laws, including the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), to safeguard users’ personal information from misuse.
By leveraging existing frameworks, the government aims to streamline the compliance process for online service providers while bolstering digital safety and protecting vulnerable demographics in the country’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.
