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Passage of PDP bill essential in achieving Indonesia's digital agenda in G20, experts say
It is important that Indonesia, which holds the rotating Group of 20 (G20) presidency this year, swiftly pass its long-awaited personal data protection (PDP) bill to ensure that the country can have a stronger footing in leading discussions on cross-border data flows among members, experts have said.
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Illustration of data protection. Experts have underscored the importance for Indonesia, which is holding the rotating Group of 20 presidency, to pass the personal data protection bill. (Shutterstock.com/Ico Maker)
It is important that Indonesia, which holds the rotating Group of 20 presidency this year, swiftly pass its long-awaited personal data protection (PDP) bill to ensure that the country can have a stronger footing in leading discussions on cross-border data flows among members, experts have said.
Indonesia has initiated the establishment of the Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) as part of the G20 sherpa track. Under Indonesia’s G20 presidency, the DEWG has set as its priorities three issues, namely connectivity and post-COVID-19 recovery; digital skills and digital literacy; as well as cross-border data flows and the free flow of trustworthy data.
The DEWG’s establishment is in line with one of the key issues identified by Indonesia’s presidency of the G20, namely digital-based transformation, which seeks to promote sustainable and inclusive economic development through the digital economy.
In the first DEWG meeting on March 30, Communications and Information Ministry secretary-general Mira Tayyiba, who also chairs the working group, said the delegations agreed that the global data-governance framework, which includes personal data protection, data privacy and elimination of trade barriers, are the basis to support cross-border data flows, business operations and international trade.
Limited capacity
Experts, however, have pointed out that without strong data protection legislation in the country, Indonesia’s capacity to lead discussions on data flows may be limited.
Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) executive director Wahyudi Djafar said that the free flow of data from one country to another requires a high level of trust between all parties to ensure that the transmitted data is not misused.
