Communications Minister affirms ART ensures equivalent data security standards between Indonesia and US
Jakarta – Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, has emphasised that mutual recognition of equivalent data security standards between Indonesia and the United States forms a key principle for data transfer implementation under the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART).
Meutya explained that the ART agreement reflects recognition that the United States, as a data-receiving nation, maintains data security standards consistent with Indonesia’s personal data protection requirements.
“For example, European countries already largely conform to standards for data exchange with Indonesia. The difference here is that America also wants to be recognised as a country that Indonesia acknowledges as having equivalent security standards to Indonesia’s own,” Meutya stated in Jakarta on Friday.
She added that data protection aspects in the United States can be assured, given that numerous global cybersecurity companies originate from that country.
Meutya explained that cross-border data transfer practices have actually been occurring for considerable time through the use of digital platforms and digital payment services. When citizens use digital platforms or services operated by American companies, data automatically moves overseas through cloud services and digital payment systems.
She stressed that data transfer is not an obligation but a choice made when citizens use American digital platforms. Meutya dismissed misconceptions that the government is handing over Indonesian citizens’ personal data to the United States.
“Many misconceptions suggest that the government is providing the data, which is entirely incorrect. Another falsehood is that the government will exchange data for 280 million Indonesians. This misinformation damages public understanding,” Meutya said.
According to her, the ART agreement does not weaken the Personal Data Protection Law (UU PDP) but rather provides legal certainty for cross-border data transfer practices already underway. Cross-border data transfers are instead strengthened through the legal framework established by the ART agreement.
“The choice to transfer data is now safeguarded by law – first through the Personal Data Protection Law, and secondly through the legal framework of the ART agreement. Now there is greater strength with two legal frameworks in place,” Meutya concluded.