Kominfo Guarantees Data Security For Application Care To Protect From Malware

CareCare Application (Tachta Citra Elfira / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) confirmed that the PeduliLindung application was safe from Malware attacks. Even though this application records and collects user data, it is a form of monitoring of the COVID-19 health protocol.

"The PeduliLindung application itself has been stipulated in Kominfo Ministerial Decree No. 171 of 2020 as the basis for the implementation of tracing, tracking and fencing through infrastructure, systems and telecommunication applications to support health surveillance," said Kominfo Spokesman Dedy Permadi, in an official statement, Monday, 4 January.

Dedy stated that the issue circulating in the community regarding the PeduliL Protect application is prone to phishing and malware, so that it can be used to steal personal data is not true. This is because the ministerial decree is of a special nature in accordance with statutory regulations.

"Therefore, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology reminds the public not to believe the issues that are circulating and invites them to install PeduliL Protect," he added.

Dedy explained, the feature of the PeduliL Protect application has been enhanced to support breaking the chain of the spread of COVID-19. Now the application has also supported the implementation of the first phase of the Vaccination program which will take place from January to April 2021.

In fact, said Dedy, the PeduliL Protecting application can be downloaded officially through the App Store and Play Store services and not through the APK. "For that, Kominfo urges the public not to hesitate to install PeduliL Protect, because providers use a layered security system."

Previously circulating, a chain message said that the application made by Kominfo was vulnerable to malware and phishing attacks. The contents of the message ask the public not to use the application, because it is claimed to be able to steal users' personal data.

The suspicion stems from a report by the CitizenLab research center at the University of Toronto, Canada. They identified a number of contact tracing applications used by a number of countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.

CitizenLab found redundant access permission requests running in contact tracing. It is feared that the application can steal cellphone data, to access mobile banking that is stored on cellphones.