The proposed revision of Government Regulation Number 82 of 2012 concerning the Organization of Electronic Systems and Transactions (PSTE) by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kemenkominfo) has sparked controversy regarding the location of data centers.

Initially, the prevailing regulation required all data centers to be located in Indonesia, providing stronger protection for data security and privacy, as well as granting full control to the government in overseeing data that is strategically important for national interests.

However, the plan to allow data centers outside Indonesia has raised legitimate concerns among various stakeholders. One of the primary reasons is national data protection. Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, the Director General of Information Application (Aptika) at Kemenkominfo, emphatically stated that data deemed strategically important for national interests must remain within the country to safeguard governmental interests.

The presence of data centers within the country provides better control over security and supervision. It also ensures that sensitive and vital data is not easily accessed by unauthorized parties, thereby mitigating the risk of data exploitation by irresponsible external entities.

Furthermore, by maintaining data centers within Indonesia, the nation can strengthen its digital sovereignty. In an era where data is an increasingly valuable and strategic asset, having full control over information technology infrastructure is crucial in preserving national sovereignty and interests.

Nevertheless, not all data needs to be housed in Indonesia. Data categorized as high-risk or requiring global access may be considered for storage abroad, provided they adhere to strict regulations and can be accessed by authorized authorities.

In this context, the rejection from the Indonesia Data Center Provider Organization (IDPRO) against the proposed regulation revision is well-founded. The presence of data centers in Indonesia is essential not only to protect national data but also to sustain domestic businesses and safeguard consumer data privacy.

They indicate that several countries continue to opt for maintaining data centers within their own borders, despite the availability of cloud computing technology.

 

Source: CNBC Indonesia