Wahyudi Djafar

Wahyudi Djafar is a researcher in the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) in Jakarta. He focuses on issues regarding protection of right to privacy, particularly in internet technology usage. He is also actively involved with research and policy advocacy to develop digital policy in Indonesia using a human rights-based approach. He has produced several research reports about internet governance, digital rights in Indonesia, policy response to the emerging technologies, internet content governance, cybersecurity, and personal data protection in these ten years. Much of his writing can be accessed through his personal blog.

Covid-19 and Population Surveillance in Indonesia

Indonesia has serious problems regarding the protection of its citizens’ right to privacy, one of which is due to the absence of a comprehensive Personal Data Protection Law. As a result, there are many data mining practices, particularly those conducted by government, which disregard the principles of personal data protection. Moreover, in handling the Covid-19 pandemic, problems have arisen and there has been debate over patients’ personal data protection; incidents concerning personal data leaks about patients with Covid-19; to the critical question about a number of technology applications developed for handling Covid-19. The tension again arises between the protection of the right to privacy versus public health concerns. A suitable mid-point between these two issues has not been found because the personal data protection law is still currently under discussion by the government and the House of Representative.