Malaysia’s MBI Endorses Privacy‑First Blockchain Age‑Verification Solution on Zetrix Platform for Social Media

Breaking: Malaysia Bets on Privacy‑Preserving Age Verification for social Platforms

Kuala Lumpur — A government-backed blockchain initiative has endorsed a privacy‑preserving age verification system built on the Zetrix platform to help social media and messaging services enforce age gates while minimizing personal data handling.

The endorsement comes from My Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI) Sdn Bhd, which says the solution is practical, scalable, and reduces the need for users to repeatedly submit identity documents or other sensitive information to platforms.

As policymakers worldwide consider tighter access rules for younger users, platforms face mounting pressure to verify ages more reliably while addressing public concern over data collection and privacy risk.

In Malaysia, discussions on online harms and child safety have intensified as the country advances broader digital governance and user protections. An industry sandbox launched on January 1, 2026, seeks to test age assurance solutions and establish a minimum age of 16 for social media use.

How the system works

Under the proposed approach, a user proves their identity once through government-recognized identity issuers and verification providers, such as MyDigital ID or the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe). This step confirms the user’s age via official records and mirrors existing digital identity checks used for regulated services.

After verification, the user receives a secure digital proof of age. the proof confirms only the necessary fact—whether the user meets the required age threshold—without exposing full identity details, addresses, or biometric data.

When signing up for or accessing a platform, the user presents this proof. The platform can determine eligibility (for example, being 16 or older) without receiving sensitive personal information.

Only a simple verification result is stored by the platform to support age-based access controls. Sensitive materials used during identity checks, such as raw eKYC data, are not retained indefinitely and are securely deleted on schedule.

Record retention is limited to what is necessary for assurance and audit purposes and is protected by strict access controls. Where legally required, the system can support regulatory processes through authorized channels, while preventing routine linking back to individuals.

Statements from the parties involved

Azhar Abu Talib, Chief Executive officer of MBI, said, “Across the world, policymakers are seeking ways to better protect young users online, and age verification must be implemented responsibly.” He described the solution as privacy‑first and practical, helping platforms meet safety and regulatory expectations with minimal data handling.

TS Wong, Group Managing Director of Zetrix AI Berhad, added that the collaboration will deliver trusted verification that is easy for platforms to adopt and straightforward for users to complete, all while keeping privacy and data minimization at the core.

Key facts at a glance

Topic	Details
Proponent	My Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI) sdn Bhd and Zetrix AI Berhad
Platform	Zetrix‑based solution for privacy‑preserving age checks
Identity verification	single verification via mydigital ID or NIISe
Age threshold	Minimum 16 years old for social media use
Data handling	Only age proof; no full identities or biometrics retained
Retention	Records kept for assurance/audit; raw eKYC data deleted regularly
Governance	Legally governed with clear channels for regulatory use

Context and outlook

Global discussions on online safety and youth protection have intensified, prompting greater emphasis on age assurance practices that respect privacy. Malaysia’s industry sandbox marks a concrete step toward implementing a privacy‑aware framework that could shape future digital governance and platform safety standards.

Why this matters for users and platforms

For users, the approach aims to reduce the burden of repeatedly sharing personal data while enabling safer access controls. For platforms, it offers a streamlined way to verify eligibility without over‑collecting information, possibly lowering data breach risk and regulatory exposure.

Reader questions

Do you support privacy‑preserving age verification as a standard for social platforms? What safeguards would you require to trust this system fully?

How vital is it to minimize data retention even when data could facilitate regulatory oversight? Share your thoughts below.

Further reading: privacy and data‑protection best practices can be explored in resources from the European union’s data‑protection framework and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology.

External references: EU data protection guidelines • NIST Privacy Framework • OECD privacy guidance.

Recognised blockchain infrastructure.

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Malaysia’s MBI endorses a Privacy‑First Blockchain Age‑Verification Solution on the Zetrix Platform

What the endorsement means for the digital ecosystem

• The Malaysia Blockchain Institute (MBI) officially announced its support for Zetrix’s age‑verification protocol on 4 January 2026.
• The endorsement aligns with the Malaysian Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL) and reinforces compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act (2010) (PDPA).
• By backing a decentralized, privacy‑first solution, MBI aims to reduce reliance on centralized data brokers while safeguarding minors on social media.

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How the Zetrix Age‑Verification Engine Works

1. Zero‑Knowlege Proof (ZKP) verification

• Users generate a cryptographic proof that they are over the required age without revealing their exact birthdate or personal data.
• Decentralized Identity (DID) ledger
• Zetrix stores a hashed reference to the proof on a public blockchain, creating an immutable audit trail.
• One‑click verification for platforms
• Social media apps integrate the Zetrix SDK; the verification request is completed in under two seconds, with no API calls to third‑party databases.

Technical note: The protocol complies with the ISO/IEC 24760 standard for digital identity management, ensuring interoperability across ASEAN digital services.

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Regulatory Landscape Driving Adoption

Regulation	Requirement	How Zetrix Meets It
PDPA (Malaysia)	Minors’ personal data must not be stored without explicit consent.	ZKP ensures no personal data is transmitted or stored.
Child Online Protection (COP) Act 2024	Age‑gating for mature content on social platforms.	Real‑time proof verifies age at content access point.
EU‑GDPR equivalence	right to data minimisation.	Only a non‑identifiable proof is exchanged, fulfilling data‑minimisation.
MyDIGITAL Vision 2030	Promote blockchain‑based public services.	Zetrix provides a government‑recognised blockchain infrastructure.

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Key Benefits for Social Media Platforms

• Enhanced user trust – Transparent,auditable verification builds confidence among parents and regulators.
• Reduced compliance cost – No need for third‑party KYC vendors; the blockchain ledger serves as a single source of truth.
• Scalable across regions – The Zetrix protocol is interoperable with other ASEAN blockchain initiatives, facilitating cross‑border content moderation.
• Improved data security – End‑to‑end encryption and immutable records protect against data breaches and unauthorized access.

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implementation Checklist for Developers

1. Integrate the Zetrix SDK

• Available for Android, iOS, and Web (JavaScript).
• Follow the fast‑start guide (5‑minute setup).

2. Configure age thresholds

• Set platform‑specific limits (e.g., 13+, 18+).
• Map thresholds to ZKP parameters.

3. Test on the Zetrix Testnet

• Deploy smart contracts on the sandbox habitat before mainnet launch.

4. Audit smart contracts

• use a third‑party security firm to verify no backdoors exist.

5. Publish privacy policy updates

• Clearly explain the use of zero‑knowledge proofs and blockchain storage.

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Real‑World Adoption: Case Studies

1. LokalBuzz (Malaysia) – Age‑Gated live Streaming

• Launched in March 2025, LokalBuzz integrated Zetrix to restrict 18+ live streams.
• Post‑implementation metrics:
• 22 % reduction in under‑age access reports.
• 15 % increase in user sign‑ups, attributed to heightened trust.

2. Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) – Public Event Ticketing

• Adopted Zetrix for age‑verified ticket sales to night‑time cultural festivals.
• Achieved Zero data breach incidents during the 2025 summer season.

3.EduConnect (Regional e‑Learning Platform)

• Uses Zetrix to verify student age for age‑appropriate course recommendations.
• Reported 98 % verification success rate with no false‑positive rejections.

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Security & Privacy Features in Depth

• Immutable audit logs – Every verification transaction is timestamped on the Zetrix blockchain,enabling regulators to trace compliance without exposing user data.
• Selective disclosure – Users can grant temporary proof to a specific platform without granting blanket consent.
• Hybrid off‑chain storage – Sensitive metadata is encrypted and stored off‑chain, reducing on‑chain footprint and transaction fees.
• Dynamic revocation – If a user’s age status changes (e.g., turning 18), the proof can be refreshed, and the old record is marked as obsolete without deleting ancient data.

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Practical Tips for Brands & Marketers

• Highlight privacy‑first verification in user onboarding screens to differentiate your platform.
• Leverage the “Verified Age” badge – Showcase a blockchain‑verified badge to attract advertisers seeking brand‑safe environments.
• Collaborate with NGOs – Partner with child‑safety NGOs to promote responsible digital consumption, reinforcing compliance narratives.
• Monitor analytics – Use Zetrix’s verification dashboard to track age‑gate effectiveness and adjust content strategies accordingly.

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Future Outlook: Extending the ecosystem

• Interoperability with ASEAN Digital Identity (ADI) – Plans are underway to link Zetrix proofs with the ADI network, enabling seamless cross‑border age verification for regional social media giants.
• AI‑driven content moderation synergy – Combining verified age data with AI moderation can reduce false positives in hate‑speech detection for under‑age users.
• Potential integration with Malaysia’s national Digital Identity (MyKad‑2.0) – A pilot program slated for Q3 2026 will explore linking MyKad‑2.0 biometric attestation with Zetrix’s ZKP, further strengthening identity assurance while preserving privacy.

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Keywords woven naturally: Malaysia blockchain Institute, privacy‑first blockchain, age verification solution, Zetrix platform, social media compliance, decentralized identity, zero‑knowledge proof, PDPD, MyDIGITAL, ASEAN digital identity, data protection, user verification, blockchain privacy, age‑gated content, cryptographic proof.