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Be aware of risks, threats of false information

KUALA TERENGGANU: Lack of awareness about laws and ethics among smartphone users have led to 90 per cent of them falling victim to false information.

These are the findings of a nationwide research conducted by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission on the dissemination of information of via short-messaging systems (WhatsApp, WeChat and Messenger) and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) between last year and May this year.

Terengganu Communications, Multimedia and Special Functions Committee chairman Ghazali Taib said information from dubious sources, easily available online, was accessed and circulated by smartphone users.

To date, he said, MCMC had detected 1,000 cases involving dissemination of false news.

He cautioned smartphone users to be aware of the risks and threats posed by unsubstantiated information to the security of the country and people.

Ghazali, who is also Ajil assemblyman, said this at a public seminar titled ‘#Negaraku’ at Wisma Darul Iman here. About 1,000 people attended the event, aimed to create awareness about the dissemination of information via social media and other digital platforms.

He said a majority of Malaysians had uninterrupted Internet connection and easy access to information.

“There is a 77.8 per cent broadband penetration for 24 million people. Youths aged between 20 and 40 years constitute the largest number of users at 65.3 per cent. Of this, about 90 per cent comprise smartphone users.”

He said despite awareness campaigns and efforts by MCMC to educate Netizens and smartphone users on the dangers of abusing new media or digital technologies such as the Internet, many continued to throw caution to the wind by accessing and sending out false information.

“In 2015, MCMC received 1,908 complaints of Netizens abusing new media. The figure increased to 3,188 last year.

“As of May this year, 2,340 complaints had been lodged.”

Ghazali said in the first five months of this year, the five major complaints received were online threats at 753 cases, cybercrime (555), false information (482), slander (363) and obscene material (346).

He said 80 per cent of the complaints involved from social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram and Instagram.

“No doubt, social media is an effective platform to disseminate information and is part of our lifestyle.

“In fact, those without access to social media are described as out-of-touch and not current,” said Ghazali.

However, he said, social media users must be responsible and ethical when sending out information, especially that concerning the country and people.

He urged them to send out positive information, instead of running down the country and people on social media.

“Such unpatriotic actions can influence society. Allegations, slander and untruth can confuse and overwhelm the public, all to the benefit of certain quarters.

“People must be able to discern between lies and truth. So, do not forward any unsubstantiated or suspicious material,” said Ghazali, adding that Netizens could surf to MCMC’s information portal, SEBENARNYA.MY to verify news distributed on social media and to arrest the dissemination of false news.

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