'No secret data transmitted over rigged devices linked to CIA'

Malaysia is not using encryption devices by Crypto AG, a Swiss company specialising in communications and information security, to transfer secret information, said Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said privacy control over the channeling of information was implemented at all times to prevent leakage to outside quarters.

“We take certain measures to ensure no leakage of important data to outside quarters. The privacy control will continue to be implemented and I am told that the use of the Crypto AG is not new, but (since) a long time ago," he told reporters after opening the national-level People’s Volunteer Corps’ (Rela) 48th-anniversary celebration at the Indera Mulia Stadium in Ipoh today.

He said this in response to a report by The Washington Post last Feb 11 that Crypto AG had links to the US’s Central Intelligence Agency and had sold rigged devices to some 120 countries, including Malaysia.

According to the report, the Swiss company is secretly owned by the CIA and the German Intelligence Service (BND).

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Abdul Hamid Bador said the use of Crypto AG devices by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) was only for short-term communication operations and not for "hypersensitive” matters.

“For limited operations, we use that technology. We do not use it for long-term operations or to transfer information,” he said. - Bernama