In brief
The Malaysia Cabinet has approved the proposed amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709). These amendments are expected to be tabled in the current Parliamentary session taking place up until 18 July 2024.
In more detail
Malaysia’s Digital Minister, Gobind Singh Deo (“Digital Minister”) announced on 4 July 2024 the approval of the proposed amendments to the Malaysia Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (“PDPA”) by the Cabinet. Specifically these amendments are expected to be tabled in the current Parliament session, convening from 24 June 2024 to 18 July 2024.
To recap, some of the key amendments being proposed to the PDPA include:
- mandatory personal data breach notifications;
- additional compliance responsibilities for data processors;
- appointment of Data Protection Officers;
- data subjects’ right to data portability; and
- removal of the white-list regime for cross-border data transfers.
Please refer to our previous write-up on the proposed amendments here.
A result of input and views from 719 stakeholders across 40 engagement sessions, the Digital Minister has indicated that a key focus of the proposed amendments is to enhance security and to address issues of personal data breaches and misuse in Malaysia.
Key takeaways
Amidst growing concerns on personal data misuses and breaches as well as cybercrimes globally, it is reassuring that the long-awaited proposed amendments to the PDPA are now being introduced in Malaysia.
Businesses should gear up for the upcoming additional compliance obligations that will be introduced.
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