The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will look into a new service which helps women with pregnancy through the short messaging service (SMS).

The service - launched by BaiBoo, Malaysia's Young Family Network - provides subscribers with ovulation alerts via SMS.

Subscribers will be notified about their most fertile phase based on their menstrual cycle. The subscriber would receive a maximum of three ovulation alert messages on the day before her ovulation and on the last day of her fertile phase.

Subscribers would have to pay an additional RM1 for each message, on top of the normal SMS charges.

Commenting on the service, MCMC head of corporate communications Adelina Iskandar said this would require subscribers to provide personal information.

"Giving out information about a woman's menstrual cycle is considered personal, which most women will feel reluctant to do," she added when contacted today.

Don't abuse service

Adelina also stressed that it is essential that the SMS service not be abused.

She said it is important that the interest of both the service provider and subscriber are protected, especially the latter since it involves their personal information.

Adelina said the MCMC will look into the matter before deciding on whether there is a need for further action.

"It depends on the context of the SMS service. If the service provided uses sex appeal or pornographic element, this will be going against the law," she noted.

If this is the case, she said, the service provider will be in breach of Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act and be liable to jail term of one year and fine not exceeding RM50,000 or both.

The new service by BaiBoo was launched in Kuala Lumpur early this week.