To protect individuals' personal data and regulate its collection, use, and transfer.
Have you ever wondered what your business needs to do to legally collect, store, and use personal data in Indonesia? With the full enforcement of Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDP Law) taking effect in October 2024, businesses operating in Indonesia—or those processing the data of Indonesian citizens—must understand and comply with this landmark regulation. The law not only establishes individuals’ data rights but also places clear and enforceable obligations on businesses. This article offers a deep dive into Indonesia’s PDP Law, explores compliance essentials, and highlights practical steps businesses must take to remain lawful and trustworthy in a data-driven economy.
Indonesia’s PDP Law, enacted as Law No. 27 of 2022, is a transformative step in national digital governance. Modelled after the European Union’s GDPR but adapted to local values and legal principles, the law aims to:
The law took effect in October 2022, with a two-year transition period. By October 2024, all organizations handling personal data must comply. This includes both digital and manual data processing.
Understanding the legal terminology of the PDP Law is critical:
Understanding these definitions is vital, as each role carries specific legal responsibilities under Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection Law.
The PDP Law has both territorial and extraterritorial reach. It applies to:
Even if your servers are located outside Indonesia, if you serve Indonesian users, you are subject to this law.
The PDP Law gives Indonesian citizens strong rights over their personal data, aiming to ensure autonomy and control.
Data subjects may request:
Subjects may request data deletion if:
Failure to honor such requests may result in regulatory or legal action.
Controllers and processors must uphold transparency, lawfulness, and accountability:
Data must be processed based on:
Consent must be clear, informed, and revocable.
Controllers must:
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International data transfers are permitted but regulated. Organizations must:
Multinational corporations and cloud-based services must prioritize this when transferring data outside Indonesia.
In the event of a data breach:
Proactive breach response demonstrates accountability and may reduce penalties.
The PDP Law introduces a layered enforcement model:
These sanctions serve as strong deterrents and reflect the seriousness of compliance.
Adopting a compliance framework is not optional. Here are key steps:
Map your data lifecycle:
While not mandatory for all, having a DPO ensures:
Equip staff with data protection knowledge:
The PDP Law shares many similarities with GDPR but differs in structure:
| Aspect | PDP Law | GDPR |
| DPO Requirement | Optional | Mandatory (for most controllers/processors) |
| Consent | Required and revocable | Required, similar conditions |
| Sanctions | Up to IDR 6 billion | Up to €20 million or 4% of global turnover |
| Breach Reporting | 72 hours | 72 hours |
Understanding these nuances helps multinationals align global compliance strategies.
Foreign businesses—especially tech companies, payment platforms, and B2C e-commerce—must:
Cross-border compliance isn’t just about legality; it is about customer trust and brand integrity.
“From our legal practice, many clients—especially SMEs and foreign investors—underestimate the breadth of Indonesia’s PDP Law. Early compliance reduces long-term risks. We advise implementing holistic data protection programs tailored to your business size and industry.”
We assist clients in:
Let our legal team at Kusuma & Partners help you build a data protection culture that supports business growth.
Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection Law is a significant shift toward global digital accountability. Businesses that treat compliance as a core value—not just a legal hurdle—will enjoy improved consumer trust, stronger brand loyalty, and reduced legal risks.
Whether you’re a local startup or a global enterprise, acting now positions your business as responsible, modern, and resilient.
Need help aligning with Indonesia’s PDP Law? Reach out to Kusuma & Partners Law Firm. Our expert legal team is ready to support your compliance journey. Fill in the form below to get legal expert guidance from Kusuma & Partners Law Firm.
“DISCLAIMER: This content is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be treated as legal advice. For professional advice, please consult with us.”
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