Indonesian Citizen Data Don't Be A Commodity: Puan Asks The Government To Be Clear About Data Transfer To The US

Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani (DOK Nailin/VOI)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, responded to the White House's statement regarding the agreement to cooperate in the management of personal data between Indonesia and the United States. According to Puan, protection of individual data from Indonesian citizens must remain a priority, even in the framework of trade cooperation.

"Regarding personal data, of course the government must be able to protect the personal data that exists for Indonesian citizens, which we already have the Personal Data Protection Law," said Puan at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday, July 24.

Puan highlighted the importance of the role of the government, especially the relevant ministries, to explain transparently the extent to which the agreement with the United States touched on the personal data aspect of Indonesian citizens. She also asked for an explanation of the protection limits in Law Number 27 of 2022 concerning Personal Data Protection (UU PDP).

"So the government through its ministry must be able to explain this, whether the personal data of Indonesian citizens has been protected and where is the limit," said Puan.

"And what about our personal data protection law, can it really protect the existing data for Indonesian citizens," he added.

Previously, the United States Government released an official statement regarding the cooperation agreement with Indonesia within the framework of the reciprocal tariff.

The statement was published through the official White House website in a document entitled Joint Statement of Framework for United States Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.

In the statement, it was stated that the import rate for products from Indonesia to the United States would be reduced to 19 percent, from the previous threat of 32 percent.

US President Donald Trump said that the agreement was the result of direct talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. One of the points in the agreement includes the delivery of personal data from Indonesia to the United States, where Indonesia will provide certainty about its ability to transfer cross-border data.

Although it has not been explained in detail, this issue raises concerns about the potential vulnerability to the protection of Indonesian citizens' personal data if not closely monitored.