LETTER | I refer to the various media coverage asking companies to be reasonable on what data they collect and hold on us and the worry about personal data.

More than corporate bodies or the government, the biggest power to ensure this lies with consumers, meaning us.

We freely share details on social media or on forms that promise us RM5 vouchers or a free pen. Mind-boggling!

We must reject all the extra details that companies ask from us that are not relevant or if they still insist, just don’t use them.

We have the power and we must utilise it. We cannot and should not rely on the government, for they have their hands full and will be slow to react.

One insurance company requires us to fill our employment details just to complete a direct debit form. In my case, I omitted to do so and they called and ask me to fill, even after I wrote ‘not needed’ in the form. And, of course, I maintained my refusal.

Yesterday, a delivery guy wanted to take a photo of my IC or driving licence as he forgot to bring the biometric reader. I told him to buzz off and he left with a photo of my house number instead.

The truth is many customers are very careless and blasé about their details, only complaining when they are misused - when most of the time the fault is with them for giving the information in the first place.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.