MCIT sends second warning letter to Facebook

Jakarta, InfoPublik – Communications and Information Technology Ministry (MCIT) sent second warning letter to Facebook regarding users personal data misuse by third party.

"Today, MCIT has sent written warning to Facebook on the misuse of users personal data by third party," said MCIT public relations bureau interim head Noor Iza in Jakarta on Tuesday (4/10).

According to him, the warning letter signed by the ICT applications director general Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan contained a warning to Facebook Indonesia to provide explanation on the misuse of users personal data by third party apps using Facebook platform.

In addition, MCIT requested Facebook to ensure personal data protection in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Communications and Information Technology No. 20 of 2016 on Protection of Personal Data in Electronic System. "Facebook as Electronic System Provider has the obligation to comply with the standards elucidated by the Regulation," he said.

Regarding applications or features developed by third parties, MCIT asked Facebook to immediately provide the audit results on applications and features developed by Facebook partners.

According to Noor, written reports of audit results are needed to measure potential problems arising from applications and features developed by Facebook partners, including how the personal data taken by Facebook partners.

MCIT received information about other companies that are allegedly similar to Cambridge Analytica method like Cube You and Aggregate IQ. Applications in the form of quizzes and personality tests potentially misuse Facebook users personal data. "Therefore, MCIT urged Facebook to close personality test application or quiz features related," he said.

Earlier, MCIT had issued the first warning letter on 5 April 2018 requesting to guarantee personal data protection, to provide the audit results of applications and features developed by Facebook partners, and to close personality test application or quiz feature related to Cambridge Analytica case.

The Government had received two official response letters from Facebook on three letters which had been sent by MCIT. However, the letters were still inadequate and had not included data requested by the Government. (Translator: Wilda Stiana)