A group of digital security activists, Tim Reaksi Cepat (Trace) received 10 complaints of digital attacks in the form of digital intimidation and attempts to take over WhatsApp and Telegram accounts by unidentified parties after an online discussion on Twitter Space on Saturday.

The discussion, #BlokirKominfo (block the Communications and Information Ministry), was held in opposition to the licensing policy that grants the government authority to block access to noncompliant digital service providers, take down prohibited content and access users' data for law-enforcement purposes.

Cyber security consultant Teguh Aprianto of Ethical Hacker Indonesia who is also part of Trace, was hosting the Twitter Space, with at least 27,000 listeners, including Muhammad Isnur of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and gamer and comedian Tretan Muslim.

“Tretan Muslim had just given a brief talk during the Space, but not long after he received a bunch of spam messages and threats. There was another participant who asked a question, he also received threats and messages with offensive language," Teguh said.

Same pattern

This is not the first time digital attacks have targeted those voicing criticism of government policies.

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