Government Responds to Alleged Tokopedia Data Breach

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following an alleged data breach experienced by Tokopedia, the Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate on Sunday urged the Indonesian e-commerce to guarantee the security of its users’ personal data. 

“The first thing that needs to be done by Tokopedia is to immediately improve its security system to prevent a further breach in data,” said the minister in Sunday’s written release.

He also called for Tokopedia to notify users that might have been exposed to the hackers and to conduct a thorough internal investigation on the incident to find out those responsible for exposing personal data at risk. 

The Minister also said that the ministry will soon receive the full report regarding the incident after it is completed by Tokopedia. Johnny also reminded that e-commerce is required to adhere to the government’s standard on personal data protection standards overseen by the Government Regulation No.71 on electronic systems and transactions. 

Prior to the data breach, Tokopedia had already adopted two-factor authentication as a safety net to prevent such incidents from happening. 

“I have also requested the application telematics directorate-general to summon Tokopedia board of directors for further clarification. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 4,” said 

Tokopedia also assured that they managed to protect users against payments data breach but acknowledges that such an attempt was committed by unknown perpetrators. Tokopedia spokesperson on Sunday’s press release maintains that transactions by credit cards, debit cards, and OVO payments remain unscathed by the perpetrators. 

However, Tokopedia continues to remind its users to constantly change their passwords just to make sure. As for the summoning of its board of directors, Tempo has yet received a response from Tokopedia. 

CAESAR AKBAR