Meet The Minister Of Communication And Information In Jakarta, Former British PM Tony Blair Talks About Data Protection

Tony Blair while serving as British Prime Minister (left) gave information after meeting President Jokowi at the Jakarta Palace, Friday, February 28, 2020. (doc Kominfo)

JAKARTA - Former British Prime Minister (PM) Tony Blair met with the Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo) Budi Arie Setiadi. The two discussed a series of issues related to digital transformation at the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kemkominfo), Gambir, Central Jakarta, Wednesday 18 October.

"Earlier we received a visit from the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) which was attended by Mr Tony Blair, they wanted to assist Indonesia in digital transformation, especially regarding several important issues," said the Minister of Communication and Information in Jakarta, Wednesday, October 18, quoted by Antara.

The issues discussed by Tony Blair and the Minister of Communication and Information are cybersecurity or data protection, national data centers, the digital economy including the European Union Digital Market Act (Digital Market Act), to artificial intelligence (AI).

The Minister of Communication and Information said, Tony Blair, who is also a consultant to discuss with 36 other countries, is working with Indonesia to review the technology and regulations that underlie a number of these issues.

"We are currently discussing, studying issues such as personal data protection, digital market assets, and AI, we also adopt a lot (from other countries). Because digital transformation is not only about technology, but also regulations," said the Minister of Communication and Information.

The Minister of Communication and Information said that Blair recommended technology and special regulations that could underlie the protection of Indonesian people's personal data, including government. In addition, he also suggested doing the same as the national data center.

"In addition to personal data protection, as well as national data centers, how to consolidate and integrate data in this government," he said.

As for AI, Budi explained that Tony Blair specifically discussed regulations and ethics regarding its use.

As for the digital market act, especially the e-commerce regulations, Blair left several notes such as healthy trade competition, to local residents as consumers who had to benefit.

"Some points seem like we can adopt, it will be adjusted to Indonesia's conditions," explained Budi.

Cooperation in the form of technology and science adoption without the value of cooperation, according to the Minister of Communication and Information, has been going on for some time, and they will continue to discuss further.

During his tenure in England, Tony Blair played a role in the transformation of the bureaucracy and digitization of government in Britain. The Tony Blair Institute also helped the governments of several countries for digital transformation.