TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Communications and Information Technology (Kominfo) Ministry spokesman Dedy Permadi said the Directorate of Informatics Application Control immediately conducted an investigation into an alleged data breach of 279 million Indonesians on Thursday, May 20, 2021.

Until last night at 20:00 WIB, Dedy said the ministry's team was still checking into the matter and could not conclude yet if the alleged massive breach of data had taken place.

“The conclusion is drawn after several stages of careful examinations on circulating data,” said Dedy in a written statement on Thursday night, May 20, 2021.

An in-depth investigation was still afoot and the results will be published later, he informed. The ministry also coordinated with related parties based on applicable regulations.

Therefore, the ministry urged digital platform providers and personal data managers to step up efforts in maintaining data security and ensuring the security system being operated. People are also asked to be more careful, regularly change passwords, and ensure that the systems on their devices are always up to date.

The personal data of 279 million Indonesians in the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) allegedly leaked and were traded on online forum raidsforum.com. The data include citizenship identity numbers, identity cards, phone numbers, email addresses, names, home addresses, up to salaries.

BPJS Kesehatan spokesman M. Iqbal Anas Ma'ruf said his side was conducting further investigations into whether the leaked data came from his institution. He asserted that the agency consistently ensured the security of its members’ personal data.

Read: Kominfo Investigates Alleged Major Citizenship Data Breach

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