The Ministry Of Communication And Informatics Will Take Strict Action On Illegal Loaning Activities And Violating The Rules

Illegal lending is now increasingly worrying. (photo: : Rupixen / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Communications and Information, Johnny G. Plate (Menkominfo) stated that he would commit together to eradicate illegal online lending activities or those that violate regulations.

Johnny also ensured that his party would take firm action without compromising on the violations that occurred. The move is intended to support the growth of the financial technology (fintech) sector in Indonesia. Therefore, he invites all parties to create a conducive and safe ecosystem.

"We emphasize here, we will be very firm and will not compromise regarding these financial sector violations," he said during the virtual event of the Signing of the Joint Statement for the Eradication of Illegal Online Loans, Friday, August 20.

In addition, Johnny also requested that the fintech sector not trap and ensnare borrowers so that they continue to grow to meet the needs of the national financial market that continues to grow and continue to grow.

Johnny reported, from 2018 to August 17, 2021, the Ministry of Communication and Information has cut off access to 3,856 fintech-related content that violates laws and regulations, including unauthorized or illegal online lending platforms.

Johnny also said that public access to fintech peer to peer (P2P) lending services has increased in the midst of the pandemic. He explained that up to June 2021, there were around 25.3 million people, higher than last January's data of 24.7 million people.

However, the development of the fintech industry is inseparable from various online threats, such as manipulation of victims through social engineering, hacking of information through sniffing methods, and the money mule mode, where the perpetrator asks the victim to make transactions into other people's accounts.

To prevent this from happening again, the Ministry of Communication and Information has taken several strategic steps from upstream to downstream, including cutting off access to platforms that violate and also conducting digital literacy.

"The Ministry of Communication and Information has made efforts, including cutting off access to illegal online loan platforms directly or through the AppStore or Play Store," said Johnny.

Lastly, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics also protects users' personal data and handles any indications of personal data leakage. And thirdly, publishing clarifications on hoaxes or disinformation through cross-stakeholder collaboration, such as OJK, BSSN, Polri, AGO, Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Religion, Ministry of Research and Technology, Ministry of Investment, PPATK and others.

If the public encounters illegal online lending practices, they can make a complaint via lapor.go.id or via the telephone support service 1500587.