Citizen Data Allegedly Leaked, Covid-19 Data Hidden
This is not the first time the government has failed to protect the personal data of its citizens. Previously, in May 2020, the government was confused due to the leak of Covid-19 patient data which was traded on internet forums. This time, eHAC data, which is a Covid-19 test and tracking application, is also suspected of being leaked. Recurring data leaks are a sign that the government is still not serious about respecting the protection of digital identities and personal data.
PRESS RELEASE
Citizen Data Allegedly Leaked, Covid-19 Data Hidden
Pg 1
Data of 279 million Indonesian citizens was allegedly leaked and sold on a hacker forum. The data is thought to come from the Health Insurance Administering Agency. This case shows the vulnerability of protecting citizens' data in Indonesia.
At the same time, data on cases and deaths due to Covid-19 seems to be hidden by the government. Apart from the lack of uniform data between regional and central governments, public information also does not correspond to conditions on the ground.
Pg 2
The data allegedly leaked included names, addresses, KTPs and telephone numbers of residents. This personal data can be misused for crimes. BPJS Health and the Ministry of Communication and Information promised to investigate the case.
On the other hand, data on Covid-19 cases in Indonesia is still complicated even though the pandemic has been going on for more than a year. Apart from not being fully updated, data on Covid-19 deaths between regional and central governments is also still unequal. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin's promise to improve the data has also not been proven.
Pg 3
The LaporCovid19 Volunteer Team noted that as of May 19, the number of positive Covid-19 deaths based on data from each province reached 50,729 people. Note that six provinces have not updated their data. In fact, the Papua Province website has problems so it doesn't display any data at all.
The data on positive Covid-19 deaths released by the central government was 48,477 people. Thus, there is still a difference in the death rate between the center and the regions of 2,252 people.
Pg 4
The number of deaths could be greater if the government followed WHO guidelines which include probable (having symptoms of Covid-19 but have not been tested) as cases of Covid-19 death. The LaporCovid19 team recorded probable cases reaching 10,964 people. Thus, the total number of Covid-19 deaths nationally, both positive and probable, is 61,693 people.
Pg 5
Of the 33 provinces, there are 10 regions that have had more than 1,000 deaths due to Covid-19. The top rank is held by Central Java with 12,386 people, then East Java (10,999 people), DKI Jakarta (7,149 people), West Java (4,032 people), East Kalimantan (1,675 people), Riau (1,264 people), Banten (1,248 people), DIY, South Sumatra and North Sumatra respectively with 1,089, 1,075 and 1,012. These ten provinces represent 82% of positive Covid-19 deaths in Indonesia.
Pg 6
Once again, the death cases due to Covid-19 do not fully reflect the conditions on the ground. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), an independent research body from the University of Washington, recorded that deaths due to Covid-19 in Indonesia reached 118,796 people. Much more than the government reported, around 48,000 people. In fact, Indonesia is recorded as the country with the 17th highest number of deaths due to Covid-19 globally. Unfortunately, the government has not improved the Covid-19 data collection system. In fact, data can be a map for policy makers and the public, rather than making people blind to actual conditions.
Reference
