05/10/2025

ON SUNDAY October 5, 2025 theSunday Special III

Legal grey areas and consumer protection Unlike regulated industries, the sale of digital products often happens without contracts, customer protection or return policies. This creates a loophole in which consumers have little recourse when the promised value isn’t delivered. “Under Malaysia’s Consumer Protec tion Act, digital goods are still a bit of a grey area, especially if the transaction hap pens through social media or peer-to-peer apps,” said Mon’s colleague, legal analyst and e-commerce consultant Serena Lai. “You’re not buying from a registered company – you’re often buying from a stranger online,” Lai advised Malaysians WR EH ZDU\ RI GLJLWDO R̆ HULQJV WKDW SURPLVH guaranteed income, instant success or QR H̆ RUW VWUDWHJLHV “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is,’’ she said. “Always ask: What am I actually buying and can I verify the creator’s expertise?” When digital products do work Despite the noise, legitimate creators are making an honest income through digital products. These include designers selling fonts, writers offering self-published books, educators creating original online courses and small businesses using down loadable tools to support clients. T KH NH\ GL̆ HUHQFH H[SHUWV VD\ OLHV LQ authenticity and value.

Creators who prioritise community and transparency often gain more trust and long-term sales.”

Consumers must learn to distinguish between marketing and reality in the digital space.

“If you’re solving a real problem, such DV WHDFKLQJ D VNLOO R̆ HULQJ D ZHOO GHVLJQHG tool or curating information that saves time – there’s a market for that,” said Nirman. Creators who focus on building com munity and transparency tend to earn more trust and long-term sales, compared to those chasing short-term trends or UHO\LQJ RQ Ḋ OLDWH GULYHQ K\SH “The most sustainable digital product businesses I’ve seen in Malaysia are built on expertise, not shortcuts,” said Mon. “They grow slowly, but they last.” Mind the algorithm trap Another issue digital sellers face is overde pendence on platform algorithms. Many creators find themselves at the mercy of changing rules on Etsy, Instagram or 7LN7RN ZKLFK FDQ VXGGHQO\ WKURWWOH WUḊ F or penalise sellers without warning.

“You can have a great product, but if your content doesn’t ‘perform’, no one sees it,” said Nirman, whose comedy content amassed millions of viewers on TikTok. “It becomes more about gaming the system than creating something meaning ful.” This dynamic pushes sellers to focus on marketing over substance, which only IXHOV WKH F\FOH RI VXSHU¿FLDO GLJLWDO R̆ HU ings and burnout. So ... is it worth it? The answer is yes – but with caveats. Selling digital products can be worth it if approached like a real business. That means understanding your audience, R̆ HULQJ JHQXLQH YDOXH SULFLQJ HWKLFDOO\ DQG FRPPLWWLQJ WR RQJRLQJ H̆ RUW It becomes problematic when driven by hype, dishonest marketing or the promise of “passive income” without work. “Digital products should be seen as tools, not magic bullets,” said Mon. “ 7KH\ R̆ HU IUHHGRP DQG ÀH[LELOLW\ EXW not instant riches.” Malaysians looking to explore this space are encouraged to do their home work, resist pressure to buy overpriced courses or software and build based on knowledge, not desperation. “Ask yourself: Would I buy this product if I didn’t make money from it? Would I recommend it to a friend, honestly?” Mon emphasised. “If the answer is no, then you probably shouldn’t sell it either.” From hustle to intention A V FRQVXPHUV ZH DUH FRQVWDQWO\ ÀRRGHG with digital noise, therefore discernment is more valuable than ever. Selling digital products online is not inherently a scam – but it’s also not a shortcut to easy wealth. Malaysians are no strangers to side hustles and self-employment. But whether you’re considering launching an e-book, a course, or a digital journal template, DVN WKH GHHSHU TXHVWLRQV $P , R̆ HULQJ something useful? Is it ethical? Am I being honest – both with myself and my audience? Because in the end, real income – like real impact is rarely instant. And authen ticity, not automation, remains the most valuable product of all.

Nirman

“The real winners in this ecosystem are the ones selling the shovels – not digging for gold. It mirrors the dynamics of MLMs where the top tier profits from selling hope, rather than product,” said Mon. A 2023 study by the World Bank found that 61% of Malaysian youths are ac tively seeking alternative online income streams, but only 17% reported sustained earnings after six months. “Digital products aren’t a scam, but the way they’re sold can be misleading,” Mon reiterated. “There’s a performative culture of suc cess – curated screenshots of income, fake scarcity and emotionally manipulative sales tactics. Consumers must learn to separate marketing from reality.”

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.’’

Lai

Behind many digital success stories are months or years of building an audience before income begins to appear.