KUALA LUMPUR — As governments around the world introduce stricter rules to protect minors online, My Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI) Sdn Bhd recently announced its endorsement of a privacy-preserving age verification solution developed on the Zetrix platform. The solution is designed to help social media and messaging services comply with age-related access requirements while minimising the handling of users’ personal data, as part of the Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure initiative.
In recent months, several countries have proposed or implemented policies to restrict social media access for users below certain age thresholds, citing concerns over online safety, mental health, and exposure to harmful content. These developments have increased pressure on platform operators to verify users’ ages more reliably, while also addressing growing public concern over excessive data collection and privacy risks.
In Malaysia, discussions around online harms, child safety, and the responsible use of social media have intensified, alongside broader efforts to strengthen digital governance and user protection.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil recently announced the launch of an industry sandbox on January 1, 2026 to assess age assurance solutions, aimed at introducing a minimum age threshold of 16 for social media usage.
MBI said the endorsed solution provides a practical and scalable option for platforms seeking to enhance age verification without requiring users to repeatedly submit identity documents or sensitive personal information to social media and messaging services.
A simple, user-friendly way to confirm age
Under the solution, users verify their identity once through government-recognised national identity issuers and verification providers, such as MyDigital ID or the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe). This process confirms the user’s age through official sources, similar to digital identity checks already used for government or regulated services.
Following this verification, users receive a secure digital proof of age. This proof does not contain full identity records, copies of identity cards, or biometric data. Instead, it confirms only what is necessary — for example, whether the user meets a required age threshold.
When users sign up for or access a social media or messaging platform, they can present this proof of age. The platform can then confirm eligibility — such as whether a user is “16 and above” — without receiving unnecessary personal details like full names, addresses, or identity document images.
Platforms record only a simple verification result to support age-based access controls and safety settings, reducing the amount of sensitive data they need to store and protect.
Designed with privacy, trust, and regulatory needs in mind
MBI said the solution is designed to balance online safety with strong privacy protections. Records created during the verification process are kept to the minimum required for assurance and audit purposes and are protected by strict access controls.
Sensitive materials used during identity checks, such as raw electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) data, are not retained indefinitely. These materials are securely deleted on a regular schedule or within an agreed timeframe, significantly reducing the risk of data misuse or breaches.
Where required by law, the solution can support legitimate regulatory or legal processes through authorised and clearly governed channels. Any linking of verification records back to an individual is tightly controlled and subject to due process, ensuring accountability without routine exposure of personal data.
“Across the world, policymakers are looking for ways to better protect young users online, and age verification must therefore be implemented responsibly. MBI is endorsing this age verification capability as a privacy-first, practical approach that helps platform operators meet safety and regulatory expectations while minimising unnecessary handling of personal data,” said Azhar Abu Talib, Chief Executive Officer of My Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI) Sdn Bhd.
“Zetrix AI will work with MBI to enable trusted verification that is easy for platforms to adopt and straightforward for users to complete, while keeping privacy and data minimisation at the core,” said TS Wong, Group Managing Director of Zetrix AI Berhad.
MBI and Zetrix AI have invited social media and messaging platform operators to explore the endorsed solution through product briefings, integration discussions, and governance walkthroughs. Pilot programmes and implementation planning are also available for organisations preparing to adopt age verification in response to new or upcoming regulatory requirements. (Bernama)
