Kerajaan teliti cadangan wajib WhatsApp buat pengesahan identiti

Kerajaan Malaysia is investigating the possibility of making WhatsApp require user identity and phone number verification, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil during a media briefing at Razak Mansion in Kuala Lumpur. Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh also attended the event. The move is being considered in response to concerns raised during recent meetings of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) about the misuse of the platform for fraudulent calls.

The issue was also highlighted by the fact that WhatsApp currently does not enforce phone number verification for accounts.

Fahmi stated that the government is contemplating additional measures to address deception, following the change in tactics by fraudsters who have started using false caller identification. However, fraudsters quickly adapt to new measures. As a result, additional action appears necessary, Fahmi said to journalists after attending the launch of the Smart Gold Card Security System project.

When asked about the government's next steps following the investigation of 61 individuals accused of impersonating SKMM officials, Fahmi said that anyone found to be violating the law will face prosecution in court.