Thailand: Issued Ministry of Digital for Economy and Society findings following investigation into Personal Data Trading Network

On 15 February 2024, the Ministry of Digital for Economic and Social Affairs (MICT) of Thailand announced the findings of investigations into the personal data trading networks, which resulted in the arrest of nine individuals involved in the illegal trade of personal information. This action was the result of a collaborative effort between the MICT, the Police Headquarters Investigation Technological Crime, the Office of the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), and the Office of the National Cyber Security Agency. The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) has set up a surveillance centre and a working group to investigate and gather information on compliance with personal data protection regulations. Additionally, the MICT reported that during the period from 9 November 2023 to 8 February 2024, the centre identified numerous occurrences of citizens' personal information being shared on various agency websites, either inadequately secured or without necessity. A total of 5'869 cases were identified and rectified, with 54 instances of personal information being sold on Facebook subsequently blocked.