Prof. Ainuddin Wahid Abdul Wahab, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaya.
Prof. Dr. Ainuddin Wahid Abdul Wahab of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaya, is featured in Sinar Daily on 25 June 2026 in the article "Your Data for a Discount? The Truth About App Permissions", examining the hidden cost of the personal data that shopping and rewards apps collect in exchange for savings.
The Night Market Test
Prof. Ainuddin frames the trade-off with an everyday comparison: "We walk into a night market and the vendor says, 'I'll give you 20 per cent off, but first tell me your name, home address and who you called today.' Most people would walk away. Yet this is essentially what many shopping and rewards apps ask for."
Many consumers, he notes, unknowingly exchange valuable personal information for relatively small savings, location data, contact lists, and behavioural patterns that hold far more long-term value than the discount received.
App Store Approval Is Not a Safety Guarantee
The article was prompted by renewed scrutiny of shopping app security in Malaysia, including a viral TikTok highlighting alleged vulnerabilities in versions of the Pinduoduo app, which Google suspended from the Play Store in 2023 after malicious code was discovered in versions distributed outside its ecosystem.
Prof. Ainuddin cautions users against assuming an app is safe simply because it comes from an official marketplace: "App store approval should be viewed as a first layer of screening, not a guarantee of safety."
Practical Advice for Consumers
- Review app permissions carefully before and after installation
- Avoid granting access to data unrelated to an app's core function
- Enable two-factor authentication where available
- Keep device software up to date and use secure payment methods
The full article, written by Sharifah Shahirah and also featuring Prof. Selvakumar Manickam of Universiti Sains Malaysia, is available at Sinar Daily.
The feature is part of CSNET's continued public engagement to raise awareness of data privacy and consumer cybersecurity issues facing Malaysians.