Digital Stalking Affects Almost 50% of Online Daters in Malaysia

According to the study – which interviewed 1,000 people in each of 21 countries around the world – online daters are keen to take steps to protect themselves in the quest for love. However, despite almost a quarter of respondents (23%) saying they had experienced some form of online stalking from a person they were newly dating, people are still vulnerable to an alarming rise in stalking and abuse this Valentine’s Day from risks posed by location settings, data privacy and more broadly, oversharing.

The types of abuse are varied in Malaysia, with well over a third (42%) of respondents having reported some form of violence or abuse from a current or previous partner: 19% of respondents had been sent unwanted emails or messages and perhaps most concerningly, 18% had been filmed or photographed without their consent. A further 17% admitted they had had their location tracked, 15% that their social media accounts or emails had been hacked, and worryingly, 13% had had stalkerware installed on their devices without their consent.

Proportionally more female respondents had experienced some form of violence or abuse compared to male respondents (43% versus 42%). Concerningly, more of those in a long-term relationship had experienced violence or abuse compared to those currently dating (17% versus 16%). In fact, 44% of respondents said they worried about the prospect of being stalked online, and female respondents were slightly more concerned at the prospect than males (50% were worried compared to 38% of male respondents).

Anti-Stalking Law and protection order provisions came into force on 31 May 2023 in Malaysia. The victim can get help from the police, and obtain a Protection Order for Stalking, which stops the perpetrator from further stalking or coming near to the victim.
According to Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky, stalkerware’s chilling grip on thousands demands action. “This insidious tool fuels harmful behaviour, and Kaspersky is tackling it head-on. We will continue to raise awareness, share expertise, and collaborate with partners from public and private sectors. It is our unwavering mission to equip victims with knowledge and guide them towards the safest path, ultimately reversing the tide against digital abuse,” says Hia.

The picture differs globally too, with more of those experiencing some form of online stalking being from parts of South and Central America and Asia – 42% of respondents in India reported some form of online stalking, as did 38% in Mexico and 36% in Argentina.

“The Internet of Things, or connected world is brilliant and offers a myriad of possibilities. But with opportunity comes threats and one of those threats of a connected world is the ease of access to traceable data which leaves us vulnerable to abuse”, commented David Emm, Principal Security Researcher at Kaspersky. “Whilst the blame for these horrific behaviours never lies with stalking victims, unfortunately, there is still a burden upon them to take steps to minimise risks. I think it’s great that people are taking steps to verify identities online, but I would encourage people to just stop and do a quick sense check on any information, passwords or data they share, to just think through how that information could be used in nefarious hands.”

“Navigating online dating and virtual spaces can be challenging and it’s crucial for social media and dating apps to implement verification processes, which can help confirm that users’ profiles match their actual photos. To my knowledge, Bumble is the only dating app currently using this level of verification. I would love to see others adopting similar safety measures. Additionally, safety guides and resources should be readily accessible online in multiple languages, ensuring that vulnerable individuals have the necessary support without needing to register for an app”, commented Emma Pickering, Head of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment, Refuge. “The UK’s Online Safety Act sets a precedent by regulating platforms to protect users. Given the pervasive nature of stalking and technology-facilitated abuse, we advise individuals to secure their online presence, including passwords and accounts. Those with concerns should contact local authorities or support services. In the UK, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247 offers assistance” she added.

Kaspersky has created some top tips for staying safe whilst dating online below, for more details, please take a look at our safe dating guide or for further ways to stay safe from Stalkerware, please visit https://stopstalkerware.org/resources/

• Keep passwords to yourself and make sure they are complex and unique

• If it seems too good to be true, it might just be – if in doubt check!

• Take a moment to check your own digital privacy

• Think before you share – the internet has long memory and sharing too much too soon can leave you vulnerable

• Create a ‘safe plan’ if you move from digital to real worlds

• Consider using a comprehensive cyber security or VPN solution to protect yourself

Kaspersky works with experts and organizations in the field of domestic violence, ranging from victim support services and perpetrator programs to research and government agencies, to share knowledge and support both professionals and victims. Kaspersky is one of the co-founders of the Coalition Against Stalkerware, an international group dedicated to tackling stalkerware and combating domestic violence. Since 2021, Kaspersky has been a consortium partner of the EU project DeStalk, co-funded by the Rights, Equality, and Citizenship Program of the European Union. Kaspersky has also launched and maintains TinyCheck, a free, safe and easy-to-use tool to check devices for stalkerware and monitoring apps.