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Data protection matters more than location: Observers
The public university student understands the risks for her data that come with using the apps – the information she shares can be used for promotions and her activities on the apps can be analyzed by artificial intelligence to predict her future behavior and interests for advertisements. However, she believes the need for apps outweighs the risks.
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A fintech app on a smartphone on display during the 2019 Indonesia Fintech Forum. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
F
or Rula Savira, 22, the terms and conditions she has to read prior to using an app are just too complicated, and even look Greek to her.
The public university student understands the risks for her data that come with using the apps – the information she shares can be used for promotions and her activities on the apps can be analyzed by artificial intelligence to predict her future behavior and interests for advertisements. However, she believes the need for apps outweighs the risks.
“I have never read the terms and conditions of [online] applications despite my knowledge that the platform may be using it for their interests," said Rula, who has fallen victim to a cybersecurity breach.
“Just last year, I used my credit card for shopping on an international website but the day after I realized my credit card was being used in Sydney [Australia] for Uber transactions, but luckily the bank returned my money," Rula told The Jakarta Post. However, the experience did not prompt her to carefully read through the terms and conditions, so long as she really needs to use the online platforms.
It is for the many internet users like Rula that the government needs to better protect Indonesian consumers’ data through regulations, observers have said, with the government soon to issue a revised Government Regulation (PP) No. 82/2012.
The regulation will require public institutions to store data onshore while private companies can have their data stored overseas with requirements to register with the Communications and Information Ministry, which will subject them to stipulations on pro-consumer data protection and negative content moderation, said the ministry’s Apps and Information Director General Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan.
Indonesian Ombudsman commissioner Alvin Lie said in the digitalization era, it did not matter where the data was stored, the most important thing was to ensure consumer data protection, accessibility for authorities and the correct utilization of users’ data.
