SKMM CLARIFIES THE PURPOSE OF INTERNET STUDY

Taken by : Nur Sherlina binti Johari

Cyberjaya, 7 August 2009 – In light of the recent news articles on 6
August 2009 regarding a study on Internet filtering, we wish to clarify
that it has been taken out of context and sensationalised. SKMM in
conjunction with this year’s World Telecommunication and Information
Society Day’s theme: Protecting Children in Cyberspace and in line with
our own efforts to promote positive use of the Internet and to ensure
the safety of children and the conduct of businesses online, is
proposing a study to gauge the use of the Internet in a positive and
safe manner.

The study coupled with SKMM’s regular annual Household Use of
Internet Survey, would give us a better view on Malaysians’ online
preferences. The data gathered through the study would help to spur
the creation of more Malaysian-based online content and applications.
The study would also give SKMM a better understanding of undesirable
activities such as on online frauds and scams, phishing and identity
theft as well as spam. This will help us to develop suitable approaches
to reduce the incidence of such abuses. It is possible, that such
approach may, amongst others, encompass encouraging parents to
filter the internet at home using internet filtering technology or for ISPs
to make available such tools for users to download.

SKMM realizes that as we move towards achieving our target for
broadband penetration of 50% by end 2010, more and more people,
especially parents, are concerned about the adverse effects of the
Internet, particularly on children.

The public is also invited to provide input on how these issues and
concerns highlighted above can be best addressed. Comments can be
emailed to: internetstudy@cmc.gov.my

The action taken by SKMM to undertake the study is no different from
actions taken by responsible regulatory agencies and governments
from the developed and developing countries around the world.