She stated that the ART agreement reflects the US’s recognition that, as the receiving country, its data security standards align with Indonesia’s personal data protection regulations.
"For example, almost all European countries already comply with standards for data exchange with Indonesia. The difference lies where the US also wants to be recognized by Indonesia, with security equivalent to Indonesia," she remarked on Friday (February 27).
She assured that data protection in the United States can be upheld, noting that the country is home to many global cybersecurity companies.
Furthermore, the minister explained that cross-border data transfers have long taken place via digital platforms and digital payment services.
She noted that whenever people use US-owned digital platforms or services, their data is automatically transmitted abroad, including through cloud services or digital payment systems.
However, she emphasized that data transfer is not mandatory, but rather a choice made by individuals who use US-based digital platforms.
Hafid also dismissed the misperception that the government provides Indonesian citizens' personal data to the United States.
"A common misperception is that the government provides the data, which is completely untrue — that the government will exchange the data of 280 million Indonesians. That is a false narrative that harms public understanding," she pointed out.
According to her, the ART agreement does not weaken the Personal Data Protection Law (PDP Law), but instead provides legal certainty for the existing practice of cross-border data transfers. In this way, data transfers between countries are actually strengthened from a legal framework perspective through the ART agreement.
"The option to transfer data is protected by law: first, the PDP Law, and second, now the legal framework of the ART agreement. So it is even stronger now, with two legal frameworks," she conveyed.
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Translator: Farhan Arda N, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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