Amnesty International Unveils Network of Spyware Exports in Indonesia

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Amnesty International published its findings of spyware and surveillance export networks to Indonesia. “The murky and complex ecosystem of suppliers, brokers, and retailers of spyware and surveillance, as well as complex corporate structures, allow this industry to evade accountability and regulation easily,” said Amnesty International Indonesia Director, Usman Hamid, in a written statement on Thursday, May 2.

According to him, the amount of sales and distribution of spyware in Indonesia is very invasive. This is also a particular concern given the shrinking civic space.

“This results in continued violations of the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, as well as personal security, coupled with violations in the form of arbitrary arrest and detention,” Usman explained.

For this reason, Usman urged the Indonesian government and parliament to immediately enact meaningful regulations, including a ban on highly invasive spyware. “It cannot be used in a way that respects human rights,” he added.

In its findings, Amnesty International admitted that it did not involve forensic investigations or conducted efforts to identify specific individuals whom these surveillance tools might have targeted. 

“This spyware is designed to be almost traceless, making it very difficult to detect, particularly cases of unlawful misuse of this tool,” Usman underlined.

According to Amnesty International, the misuse of surveillance technology that is incompatible with human rights is a tactic for entering the private space of civil society. Therefore, the sale of quite a lot of spyware to Indonesia needs special attention.

Although Indonesia has recognized the right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, Indonesia does not have laws specifically discussing or officially regulating the use of spyware.

BAGUS PRIBADI

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