Bold, independent coverage of Malaysian politics, business and current affairs.
An Indian court has permitted a festival organiser to pursue legal action against alleged branding infringement, establishing that the proper standard involves assessing whether ordinary consumers with imperfect recall would be deceived.
A Kuala Lumpur businesswoman has filed a lawsuit against a political party leader over an allegedly stripped property purchase, claiming 29 furnishings worth RM2.3 million were wrongfully removed from the home she acquired.
South Korean dessert brand Tokyo Berry is under fire for allegedly copying the packaging and branding of Japan's popular Tokyo Banana confectionery, with department store chains cancelling future pop-up stores amid consumer backlash.
The Energy Regulatory Commission has ordered Meralco, the Philippines' largest power distributor, to refund ₱9.5 billion to consumers. The refund addresses overcharges during a regulatory gap when outdated rates remained in effect.
Hong Kong actress Strawberry Yeung exposed a romance scam targeting her, revealing how a fraudster spent two months gaining her trust through daily messages before requesting RM156,411 for a fake investment.
Britain's antitrust regulator is investigating Microsoft over claims it misled personal and family customers regarding Microsoft 365 subscription costs and the bundling of its Copilot AI assistant, with similar probes underway in Australia and Italy.
The US Federal Trade Commission has sued telehealth provider Hims & Hers, alleging it shared patient health information with Meta and Snap despite privacy promises, and engaged in deceptive billing and cancellation practices.
South Korea is rolling out stricter penalties for overcharging tourists across accommodation, dining, and taxi services starting August 4, including business suspensions and licence revocations to deter unfair practices.
A trader in Setiu has been fined RM700 by the magistrate's court for selling sushi contaminated with dangerous bacteria at a Ramadan bazaar. The case underscores ongoing food safety challenges at temporary market stalls.
Penang has experienced a sharp increase in consumer claims filed with the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia, signalling greater public awareness of redress channels. State KPDN reported 777 cases last year, with 775 successfully resolved.
Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh has identified university cooperation—particularly through affordable premises and reasonable rents—as essential for expanding the Menu Rahmah affordable meal programme across Malaysian campuses.
Malaysia's government is launching a coordinated enforcement operation to remove unsafe electrical products from markets and e-commerce platforms, with inspections at ports, retail stores, and online sellers to protect consumers from fire and electrical hazards.
AirBorneo Airways has warned passengers against purchasing tickets through third-party websites, citing cases of unauthorised reselling with inflated prices and hidden fees. The airline recommends booking directly through official channels.
A Florida teenager has withdrawn his lawsuit against Meta Platforms just days before a high-profile trial was set to begin in Los Angeles. The case was among key bellwether trials in thousands of consolidations alleging social media apps harm young users.
A New York judge has rejected payment platform Zelle's bid to dismiss a lawsuit from the state's attorney general, who alleges the service prioritized growth over consumer safety, allowing fraudsters to steal over $1 billion.
Penang authorities have temporarily closed a supermarket at Gurney Drive shopping mall following hygiene violations discovered during a routine inspection, part of ongoing efforts to enforce food safety standards across the state.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will investigate the alleged leak of influencer Khairul Aming's phone bill, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil announced, raising fresh concerns about consumer data protection.
The European Union has imposed a record €550 million fine on AliExpress for failing to prevent the sale of illegal, counterfeit and unsafe products. It is the third enforcement action under the EU's Digital Services Act.
Kelantan authorities plan heightened inspections of food establishments after viral social media allegations questioned halal compliance at several premises operated by non-Muslims.
A Shah Alam family is pursuing legal action against Nirvana Memorial Park following the alleged theft of two urns holding their parents' cremated remains from the facility's columbarium in January.
A water supply company worker in Seremban has been charged with defrauding two women of a combined RM108,500. The cases were heard separately in magistrate's courts, raising concerns about scams targeting vulnerable victims.
Meta disclosed that four US states are seeking $1.4 trillion in penalties over claims the company deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram to addict young users, with a trial set for August in Oakland, California.
A Chinese national has entered a not guilty plea at Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court, facing charges of defrauding a gold dealer of RM37,054 through the sale of gold-coated mixed-metal jewellery misrepresented as pure gold.
Ipoh police have arrested a mother and her two adult children on suspicion of impersonating welfare officers to swindle an elderly woman of RM8,000 in jewellery and valuables.
Police have arrested a woman and her two adult children after orchestrating a welfare aid scam that defrauded an elderly woman of RM8,000 worth of jewellery. Authorities recovered the items from a pawnshop.
European regulators are implementing strict controls on loot boxes and age verification in video games, threatening billions in industry revenue and forcing companies to reconsider monetisation strategies across global markets.
Sabah's Youth Development Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan has stressed the urgent need to boost digital literacy and public awareness to shield residents from escalating online threats including scams and harassment.
Malaysia's government will enforce minimum pricing and standardised service requirements for umrah packages to protect pilgrims and ensure quality. The move aims to prevent dangerously cheap offerings that compromise safety and religious obligations.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated an investigation into StubHub following widespread complaints from fans who purchased World Cup tickets through the resale platform but never received them, with a class action lawsuit also emerging.
Bank Negara Malaysia is urging customers to report cases where they are charged RM1 for withdrawals at ATMs operated by their own bank, a practice that violates regulations and should result in no fee.
Malaysia's domestic trade ministry has unveiled a nationwide campaign targeting the escalating crisis of online fraud, partnering with e-commerce giant Shopee and law enforcement to educate consumers and reduce victimisation.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has called on bank customers still being charged RM1 for interbank ATM withdrawals to lodge complaints with Bank Negara Malaysia, which can take enforcement action against non-compliant banks.
A California man with bipolar disorder has sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, claiming ChatGPT escalated his mental health crisis by validating delusional thoughts instead of flagging warning signs and offering help.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has mandated that e-wallet operators must fully compensate fraud victims within seven days if they neglect Bank Negara Malaysia security protocols, shifting liability away from users.
The Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association has thrown its weight behind the Cyber Crime Bill 2026, arguing the legislation is essential to combat escalating cyber threats while maintaining safeguards against abuse.
A US federal judge has rejected Meta's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit filed by state attorneys general, who allege the company deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children while concealing health risks.
Australia's competition regulator has filed court action against Amazon, claiming the company unilaterally inserted advertising into Prime Video subscriptions between late 2023 and mid-2025, forcing over 1 million annual subscribers to pay extra for ad-free viewing.
Malaysia's High Court has rejected an application by three travel company directors seeking to postpone a RM492,480 refund to umrah pilgrims, upholding findings of fraud related to cancelled COVID-19 trips.