Copyright tempo
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) has raised concerns over the growing issue of photography in public spaces, following viral discussions sparked by complaints from people who said their photos were taken and commercialized without permission.The debate emerged online after several individuals voiced frustration about photographers who profit from candid photos of people in public places, posting or selling them without consent.Alexander Sabar, the Director General of Digital Space Supervision at Komdigi, stressed that photographers must uphold both legal and ethical standards in handling personal data.He reminded the public that images featuring identifiable faces fall under the definition of personal data and therefore require consent before publication or commercial use.“Photographs showing an individual’s face or distinctive physical traits are considered personal data, as they can be used to identify someone,” Alexander said in a written statement on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.He underlined that explicit permission from the photographed subjects is mandatory before distributing or monetizing such images.“There must be no commercialization of photos without the subject’s consent,” he said.Alexander also noted that individuals whose personal data is misused have the right to take legal action, as guaranteed by the Personal Data Protection Law and the Second Amendment to the 2008 Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law.To address the issue, Komdigi plans to invite representatives from the Indonesian Professional Photographers Association (APFI) and Electronic System Providers (PSE) to strengthen awareness of legal responsibilities and ethical standards in digital photography.He added that the ministry will continue to promote digital literacy programs, emphasizing personal data protection and the responsible use of technology, including photography and generative artificial intelligence.“These efforts reflect our commitment to building a safe, ethical, and fair digital ecosystem,” Alexander said.“We want creative professionals to clearly understand the legal and ethical boundaries when capturing, processing, and distributing digital works. It’s our shared responsibility to maintain a safe and civilized digital space.”Editor’s Choice: Indonesia's Purbaya Optimistic IHSG to Exceed 9,000 by Year EndClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
