Social media security regulations being studied to protect govt secrets, says Fahmi

Regulations or guidelines are being studied to ensure the security of social media applications and devices used by civil servants, especially among administrative officers, to protect government secrets, according to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said Cyber Security Malaysia (CSM) had been asked to scrutinise several aspects related to security issues involving the use of social media applications at government offices and agencies.

He said this was because the use of social media applications such as TikTok and Facebook at government offices would indirectly reveal some secrets or sensitive matters to the public.

"I have asked the CSM to scrutinise all social media applications because we don’t want any violations of the Official Secrets Act, especially when the administrative officers are handling classified documents. So the security aspect is really important.

"Secondly, in terms of filming (social media content), we have to determine whether filming can be allowed at certain places. That is among the aspects to be looked into," he told reporters after attending his ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya yesterday.

Noting that some countries had already advanced in security aspects, Fahmi said his ministry would study the basis, as well as decisions made, to ensure that everything can be easily understood and adopted in the Malaysian context or suitable options provided.

He said agencies such as the information department, broadcasting department and Bernama should intensify efforts to educate people about the dangers of scammers.

He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission had also been asked to call up social media platforms that are being used by scammers to commit crimes.

Fahmi also advised communications and digital ministry personnel to change their computer passwords regularly to avoid data theft.