New cyber security division for Macau?

Macau’s Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, has announced that next year will see the updating of the gambling island’s cyber and anti-internet crime legislation, along with the establishment of a new cyber security centre similar to those operating in neighbouring Hong Kong and on the Chinese mainland.

The Macau Judiciary Police will operate the new division, with responsibility for monitoring the internet and combatting illegal activity.

One of the problems facing Macau authorities is the activity of questionable online gambling promoters who have in the past tried to use the island’s gambling image to market their products and services, suggesting that these have the approval of the various Macau authorities associated with gambling such as the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau or the Macau Government Tourist organisation.

This weekend provided another example of this sort of misrepresentation, and resulted in the tourist authority warning that it was not behind recently reported mobile text messages promoting online gambling under its brand.

The authority clarified that its Experience Macau brand and online app activity are focused exclusively on promoting tourism and furnishing relevant information, and are not involved in any way in online gambling.

The statement noted that the misrepresentations have been referred to the criminal authorities for investigation.