Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Malaysia Investigating Reported Leak of 46 Million Mobile Users Data

by Reuters

   KUALA LUMPUR --

   Malaysia is investigating an alleged attempt to sell the data of more
   than 46 million mobile phone subscribers online after a major data
   breach, Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak said
   on Wednesday.

   The massive data breach was first reported last month by Lowyat.net, a
   local technology news website, which said it had received a tip-off
   that someone was trying to sell huge databases of personal information
   on its forums.

   Salleh said the country's internet regulator, the Malaysian
   Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), was looking into the
   matter with the police.

   "We have identified several potential sources of the leak and we should
   be able to complete the probe soon," Salleh told reporters at
   parliament.

   The leaked data was being sold for an undisclosed amount of Bitcoin, a
   digital currency, Lowyat.net said on Monday.

   It included lists of mobile phone numbers, identification card numbers,
   home addresses, and SIM card data of 46.2 million customers from at
   least 12 Malaysian mobile phone operators.

   Malaysia's population is just around 32 million, but many have several
   mobile numbers. The lists are also believed to include inactive numbers
   and temporary ones bought by visiting foreigners, local daily The Star
   reported.

   MCMC's chief operating officer Mazlan Ismail said on Tuesday the
   regulator had met with local telecommunications companies to seek their
   cooperation in the probe, according to state news agency Bernama.

   The data also includes private information of more than 80,000
   individuals leaked from the records of the Malaysian Medical Council,
   the Malaysian Medical Association, and the Malaysian Dental
   Association, Lowyat.net said.