Consumer Protection Needs Strengthening, YPKIM Pushes for UUPK Revision

Consumer protection is deemed necessary to strengthen amid the increasing complexity of transactions in the digital era. Revising Law Number 8 of 1999 on Consumer Protection (UUPK) is one effort to align regulations with contemporary developments.

Founder of the Indonesian Forward Consumer Protection Foundation (YPKIM) and former BPKN Commissioner, Rolas Budiman Sitinjak, assesses that the changing landscape of the digital economy demands more adaptive rule updates. “Now, 27 years have passed. There has not been a single substantial revision to the UUPK. Yet the world has changed radically,” said Rolas on Monday (20/4/2026).

According to Rolas, advancements in technology, cross-border transactions, and the rise of digital trade activities present new challenges in consumer protection. This situation requires stronger legal certainty to ensure consumers remain protected.

He explained that consumer protection institutions such as the National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) and the Consumer Dispute Settlement Agency (BPSK) play crucial roles in maintaining balance between business actors and consumers. Strengthening these institutions is seen as an important part of future regulatory revisions.

Rolas assesses that the level of consumer vulnerability has increased with the shift of transactions to digital platforms. “More than 70 percent of trade transactions have moved to digital platforms. Millions of Indonesians have become victims of illegal online loans, counterfeit products, and personal data leaks,” he stated.

On the other hand, BPKN data records more than 11,000 consumer complaints from 2020 to mid-2025. This figure indicates the need for a more responsive protection system to market dynamics.

In this context, the UUPK revision is expected to introduce more comprehensive protection mechanisms, including dispute resolution and strengthening consumer rights.

“The Consumer Protection Bill must strengthen, not weaken, the authority of BPKN, BPSK, and the entire national consumer protection ecosystem,” said Rolas.

He added that regulatory updates must also ensure consumers receive rights to safety, comfort, clear information, and fair compensation mechanisms.

According to him, strengthening consumer protection in the digital era needs to be a priority agenda to maintain balance between business innovation and public protection.

“Consumer protection in the digital era must be a serious national agenda,” he stated.