Information Technology and cybersecurity experts welcome the idea of establishing a surveillance system on foreigners, but at the same time recommend exercising caution on its implementation over privacy concerns.

IT security specialist Alfons Tanujaya said attaching a QR Code to foreigners' passports or visas was positive if it was meant to protect them while in Indonesia.

“It can be useful for foreigners if they are in a situation that threatens their safety. The authorities could quickly reach them [...] they will be more secure when such situations occur," Alfons told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

He was referring to a plan by the Immigration Directorate General to launch a surveillance system to track foreigners in Indonesia. The directorate general is waiting for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s approval for its implementation.

Alfons, however, said the government should not promote the policy as a tool to detect their movement so that foreigners do not feel spied upon.

He said establishing a separate QR code tracking system was not the only mechanism to detect foreigners’ movements.

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