Telecommunication companies (Telcos) do not store data of SMS, MMS and video conferencing, to safeguard privacy of customers, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.

NONE Deputy minister of Information Communication and Culture Joseph Salang ( right ) said companies providing such services only keep a log of such transactions for 12 months for billing purposes.

"Furthermore, the amount of such transactions (SMS, MMS, video conferencing) are huge. For example, in 2009, about 80 billion transactions were recorded," he told the Dewan Rakyat when answering a question by Abdul Rahman Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud) here today.

Abdul Rahman had wanted to know how long does Telcos keep data of SMS, MMS and video calls and system used to avoid staff of such companies from reading such messages.

To an additional question by Abdul Rahman, Joseph said Telcos do not release or give away personal details or transactions of customers, except upon a request made through a court of law.

Joseph when answering a question by Salahuddin Ayub (Pas-Kubang Kerian), said it was against the law for anyone, including enforcement authorities to record private conversations.

Those who come across such incidents can lodge a report at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, he said.

- Bernama