Press Release
JAKARTA – June 4, 2025 – Amid the rapid pace of digital transformation, public trust in the digital ecosystem remains a major challenge that has yet to be fully addressed. Although Indonesia has enacted the Personal Data Protection Law, the absence of a supervisory authority and implementing regulations still leaves significant gaps in consumer protection.
DigiWeek 2025, the flagship event of the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) in collaboration with the Tech For Good Institute (TFGI), features panel discussions with experts, stakeholders, and civil society to exchange ideas, highlight critical issues, and formulate solutions to build a responsible digital ecosystem.
“Digital transformation continues to advance each year, but many risks remain overlooked. One of CIPS’s key focuses is promoting better data governance. We already have the Personal Data Protection Law, but there are still no implementing regulations or a supervisory authority. The government needs to urgently prioritise finalising this governance framework,”
Muhammad Nidhal
Research and Policy Analyst at CIPS, explained during DigiWeek 2025.
At the event, CIPS and TFGI hosted a panel discussion titled “Indonesia’s Digital Leap: Improving Data Governance and Reinforcing Online Trust” The session also marked the launch of TFGI’s latest study, The Evolution of Tech Governance in Southeast Asia, which explores policy trends and key governance developments in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
“Striking a balance between promotion and protection is key. Promotion drives the economy, while protection is essential for a digital society. Regulatory clarity is crucial to navigate digital changes and support private sector innovation. Policy alignment can help bridge the digital divide.”
Keith Detros
Programme Manager at TFGI
The mandate of the Personal Data Protection Law to establish a data protection authority should have been fulfilled within two years of its enactment in October 2022. This regulatory gap raises concerns about potential vulnerabilities in consumer protection within the increasingly diverse digital space.
“Indonesia is one of the fastest-growing digital economies in Southeast Asia. To sustain this momentum, we need strong policies, responsible practices, and meaningful cross-sector partnerships to uphold and strengthen consumer trust.”
Citra Nasruddin
Program Director at TFGI, added,
CIPS and TFGI emphasised the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration or a co-regulation approach involving the government, private sector, and civil society.
Data security was also highlighted by Radhi Juniantino, Director of Trust & Safety at Grab Indonesia. He explained that Grab adheres to international cybersecurity standards, complies with local data protection regulations, and actively educates users on privacy and digital literacy.
Meanwhile, Sonny Hendra Sudaryana, Director of Digital Ecosystem Development at the Ministry of Communication and Digital, stated that the development of digital infrastructure and connectivity remains a priority. However, he emphasised that the regulatory framework must also evolve in line with today’s most critical digital risks, such as fraud and data misuse.
Wahyuni Bahar, Managing Partner at Bahar Law and Consulting, also noted the need to improve coordination between regulations and institutions to create a safer and more trustworthy digital space.
With strong data governance and enhanced trust in the digital space, Indonesia can position digital transformation as a pillar of fair, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. Governance practices from other countries can serve as useful references, but policy development must be tailored to Indonesia’s specific context and needs.
From this discussion, it is clear that trust is the foundation of the digital ecosystem. The establishment of a personal data protection authority, as mandated by the Personal Data Protection Law, remains a priority. Although two years have passed since the law was enacted, there is still ample opportunity to push for effective implementation.
About the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS)
The Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) is an independent, non-profit and non-partisan think tank that advocates for practical policy reforms informed by evidence-based policy research and analysis. Our policy perspectives are based on the belief that only civil, political, and economic freedom allows Indonesians to achieve greater prosperity.
About the Tech for Good Institute
Tech for Good Institute (TFGI) is a non-profit organisation founded in 2021 to encourage conversations and dialogue on how the promise of technology and the digital economy may be leveraged to enable sustainable, equitable and inclusive growth for Southeast Asia.
For media inquiries, please contact:
- Tama Margaretha Nauli
Communications Officer, CIPS
[email protected] - Keith Detros
Programme Lead, TFGI
[email protected]
