SENATE The Communications and Multimedia Ministry, through the Department of Personal Data Protection, received 233 complaints on the processing of personal data from 2013 to Dec 7 this year, the Dewan Negara was told today.

Deputy Minister Jailani Johari said 43 of the complaints, or 20 percent, had been resolved.

Replying to a question from senator Khairudin Samad, he said the department received 140 complaints this year, 34 last year, 53 in 2014 and six in 2013.

"Some of the complaints were on processing of personal data without consent, personal data used for the purpose of direct marketing.

"Confusion on the terms and conditions contained in the privacy notice, violation of security principles, and sharing of personal data without the consent of the data subject," he said.

Jailani said, however, that the department did not receive any complaint so far this year on the sale of personal data by telecommunications companies.

He said the department, with the cooperation of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, would conduct an investigation upon receiving a complaint complete with details.

Offenders can be fined up to RM500,000 or sentenced to a maximum jail term of three years, or both, he added.

- Bernama