To protect consumers, personal data protection bill must be ratified immediately

Rectorate, UIN News Online – The Covid-19 pandemic, which has lasted for almost two years, has driven the rapid development of the digital economy. Various efforts and implementation of health protocols have made business actors look for various breakthroughs and innovations in offering their products and services to consumers.

Through information technology, business transactions become easier and can run anytime and anywhere.

“However, consumers are very vulnerable to exploitation. Promised goods or services often do not match reality. This often results in losses for consumers,” said the Dean of Sharia and Law (FSH) Faculty Ahmad Tholabi Kharlie in his remarks at the Webinar held by the Consultation and Legal Aid Institute (LKBH) of the Faculty of Sharia and Law of UIN Jakarta, Sunday (09/05/2021).

In the webinar themed “Teknik dan Strategi Advokasi Konsumen di Era Ekonomi Digital. Litigasi dan Non Litigasi”, the Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law of UIN Jakarta revealed official data from the National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN), where complaints related to E-Commerce occupy the highest position, followed by property, telecommunication services, and transportation services.

“Apart from the transaction aspect, consumers are now overshadowed by the theft of personal data when activating the application. It can be seen with the rise of online lending cases which are very troubling,” he said.

The same thing was conveyed by Mustolih Siradj, Head of LKBH FSH UIN Jakarta. Leakage of consumer personal data which is then traded lately is becoming more and more common. Even the President's data can be leaked and circulated widely. “So we must continue to encourage the DPR and the Government to immediately ratified the Personal Data Protection Bill,” he said.

David Tobing, a senior advocate who also serves as Chairman of the Indonesian Consumers Community (KKI) invites consumers who are harmed by business actors to not hesitate to file a claim. “Consumer rights are guaranteed by law, including the right to obtain advocacy and compensation,” he said.

Consumer demands can be submitted through courts (litigation) or through alternative dispute resolution institutions such as BPSK (consumer dispute resolution agency) located in almost every district/city or through the Indonesian Banking Dispute Settlement Agency (LAPSPI) when it comes to financial services. In the future it is even estimated that dispute resolution will be carried out online (online dispute resolution).

He warned that the dispute resolution process would take a long time. “To minimize the risk, consumers must be careful. If you buy goods online, look for sites that have official permission from the authorities,” said David. (usa/sam/mf)