It is not unusual for modern states to have surveillance tools for security purposes. Technology is making the world smaller, and new cybersecurity threats are emerging on a daily basis, posing new security challenges. It is imperative that the state has the technology to meet these challenges.

That, however, does not give the government carte blanche to encroach on our privacy. We must have clear rules governing the use of surveillance technologies, which have become increasingly sophisticated and powerful, making them even more prone to abuse.

The Indoleaks report is hardly surprising. Toronto-based digital security think tank CitizenLab previously accused the government of using a spyware program called FinFisher to snoop on its citizens in 2016. The spyware, produced by Lench IT Solutions, was commonly used by repressive regimes.

The National Crypto Institute (Lemsaneg), which was expanded into the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) in 2017, was a client of that spyware, according to CitizenLab. The agency used an Australian server to disguise its surveillance operations in Indonesia.

Beyond FinFisher, Indonesia is accused of using two other powerful spyware programs: Predator and Circles.

A CitizenLab report indicated that a server believed to a Circles client belonged to PT Radika Karya Utama, a technology company that won at least two contracts to procure “zero-click intrusion systems” for the National Police. The police, according to the IndoLeaks report, claim to have used zero-click technology for security purposes but have refused to confirm whether they have used spyware such as Predator, Circles or Pegasus.

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